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Health Care Reform Updates ACA Pay or Play Penalties Increase in 2021
The Adjusted Penalty Amounts for 2021 are $2,700 and $4,060 Under the Affordable Care Act’s employer shared responsibility (pay or play) rules, applicable large employers—generally those who have 50 or more full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees)—may be subject to a penalty if they do not offer affordable coverage that provides minimum value to their End excerpt
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The U.S. Department Of Labor Revises Regulations To Clarify Paid Leave Requirements Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The revisions take effect September 16, 2020 and do the following: Reaffirm and provide additional explanation for the requirement that employees may take FFCRA leave only if work would otherwise be available to them. Reaffirm and provide additional explanation for the requirement that an employee have employer approval to take FFCRA leave intermittently. Revise the End excerpt
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2020 Medicare Part D Notice
The following information is provided as guidance for employers and their employees regarding Medicare Part D notification requirements. Should you have specific questions regarding your organization’s health plan, or other employee benefits, please contact a FosterThomas Employee Benefits Specialist. Medicare Part D Eligible Employees This post serves as a reminder that employers who provide prescription drug End excerpt
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New D.C. Law Requires Employers to Adopt COVID-19 Safety Policies
Under the new law, beginning August 20, 2020 District of Columbia employers must implement social distancing and worker protection policies consistent with the Mayor’s July 22, 2020 mask order (“Wearing of Masks in the District of Columbia to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19”). Businesses that are open to the public must post signs on their End excerpt
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OFCCP releases New and Streamlined Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) released a new and streamlined Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form. Government contractors and subcontractors must invite applicants and new hires to self-identify as having a disability. Contractors must also invite employees to self-identify as disabled at least once every five years. Applicants and employees may identify as End excerpt
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DHS extends the exemption for the physical inspection of form I-9 to August 19th, 2020.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the exemption for the physical inspection of form I-9 documents is extended to August 19th, 2020. This exemption does not apply to employers that have employees physically present at a work location. Under the exemption, employers must complete the remote inspection of approved documents within three (3) business days End excerpt
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Revised FMLA Notice and Certifications published by DOL designed to streamline the process
The Department of Labor (DOL) revised its FMLA notice and certifications (attached). The DOL said the new forms are easier to understand and use and also include an electronic signature feature. Please note that earlier versions of the forms with expiration dates that have passed may still be used. Employees are eligible for FMLA if End excerpt
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Returning to Work Balancing Safety & Recovery
As states re-open and employees who haven’t been onsite slowly return to the workplace, employers are tasked with protecting the safety of their staff, customers, and vendors. Meanwhile, employees caring for children and other loved ones may need to extend their paid and unpaid leaves of absence; the surrounding leave laws are becoming more complicated than End excerpt
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Temporary Modifications to I-9 Process
Physical document inspection not required for remote workers during the pandemic The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will defer the requirements for employers to physically review I-9 documents in-person with new employees. This change applies only to employers and workplaces that are operating completely remotely. If there are any employees physically at the End excerpt
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Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses
Source: IRS.com New legislation ensures workers are not forced to choose between paychecks and their health amidst the global pandemic. The U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately End excerpt
