The Department of Labor (“DOL”) and other federal agencies released updated model COBRA notices and expanded COBRA deadlines in an effort to reduce the risk of participants and beneficiaries losing benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updated Model COBRA Notices Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), an individual who…
Insights
Second Chance at Paycheck Protection Program Loan: An Overview of Program Application and Loan Forgiveness Requirements
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), signed into law on Friday March 27, 2020, introduced the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) with the intended goal of preventing job loss and small businesses failure due to losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP was designed to…
Scenarios For COVID-19 Related Leave in New York
As part of Lindabury’s work with the Mechanical Contractors Association of New York, James Estabrook and Elizabeth Engret Manzo have authored guidance on COVID-19 related leave under New York state law. You can download a copy of the guidance here.
New Jersey Delays Effective Date of WARN Act Amendments and Extends the Exemption for Layoffs Due to Disasters and National Emergencies
Since the onslaught of layoffs and furloughs caused by the COVID-19 crisis, many employers found themselves caught in the crosshairs of the onerous severance and notice obligations imposed by the January 2020 Amendments to New Jersey’s Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act (“NJ WARN Act”), slated to go…
Community Associations – Practical Guidance During the Coronavirus Shutdown
New Jersey residents are now one month into the statewide shutdown, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt nearly every aspect of our daily lives. At this time, property managers and boards have developed practices to provide for social distancing and routine cleaning, however there are a host of potential…
When an Employee Needs Leave Under the FFCRA, What Documentation Does the Employer Require to Receive Tax Credits?
Our employee says they need Paid Leave under the FFCRA. What documentation can the company require from the employee to ensure these payments qualify for employer tax credits? Under the Families First Coronavirus Protection Act (FFRCA), employers are eligible for tax credits for any payment of qualified Emergency Sick Leave…
Administering COVID-19 Relief – Guidance for Employers: Fact Sheets, FAQs and Q&As from Federal Agencies
The speed in which the Congress and various federal agencies have acted in response to the coronavirus outbreak has caused confusion among employers about what they must do to comply with these new laws and regulations. To assist employers we have compiled a list of fact sheets, Q&As and FAQs…
New Jersey Expands Earned Sick Leave, Family Leave, and Temporary Disability Benefits in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic
On March 26, 2020, Governor Murphy signed into law S-2304 expanding the scope of the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law to broaden benefits available to employees who are absent from work due to epidemics such…
Town Hall Discussion – Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On April 1, 2020 James Estabrook and Kathleen Connelly of the firm’s Labor & Employment group hosted a webinar discussion for members of the Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association. The webinar addressed questions regarding employee leave rights and benefits under the…
Employee Benefits Provisions of the CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES” Act) was passed, making it the third federal law to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health pandemic. The Act, designed to provide additional relief to those affected by the pandemic, contains multiple provisions that specifically implicate…