COVID-19 Insights

Additional Employer Considerations

NGE On Demand: An Update on COVID-19 in the Workplace | published on: 09.29.21

Video discussion on the latest developments regarding the vaccine and related mandates, plus best practices and practical considerations for employers as they consider the future of in-person work in the short and long term.

President Biden Announces Employers with 100 or More Employees Must Ensure Their Workforce Is Vaccinated or Tested Weekly for COVID-19 | published on: 09.15.21

President Biden recently announced a rule that is being developed by OSHA that would require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that their workforce is fully vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.

Illinois Employers Must Consider New COVID-19 Guidance When Preparing Return-to-Work Plans | published on: 06.07.21

Illinois will be entering the “Bridge Phase” of the Restore Illinois multi-phased plan.  This includes new guidance on new headcount capacity limits for business, as well as specific guidance for retail stores, manufacturers and other workplaces.

NGE On Demand: COVID Vaccine Considerations for Employers | published on: 03.24.21

Video presentation on the recent EEOC Guidance on vaccine requirements before returning to the physical workplace and an employer’s legal obligations to reasonably accommodate employees under the ADA and Title VII.

NGE On Demand: COVID-19 in the Workplace | published on: 02.15.21

Video discussion on how employers should develop vaccine policies for employees, and how to maintain a safe work environment.

Why Employers Are Moving Away from Requiring COVID-19 Vaccines | published on: 02.11.21

In order to minimize risk of exposure and liability, many employers are concluding that strongly encouraging vaccines, rather than mandating them, is the better way to go.

EEOC Guidance Sheds Light on COVID-19 Vaccines for Employers | published on: 12.21.20

The EEOC’s guidance sheds light on some of the questions employers are grappling with, including the impact of various federal employment laws on employers’ vaccine-related policies and practices.

Crain’s Roundtable: Labor and Employment Law | published on: 09.10.21

Sonya Rosenberg joins the Crain’s roundtable discussion on labor & employment law, including: best practices for COVID-19 concerns, recent important changes to employment laws, furloughs and layoffs, and political speech in the workplace.

IRS Issues Guidance on Payroll Tax Deferral Program and Advises Payroll Industry That Deferral Is Voluntary | published on: 09.04.20

Given the scope of unanswered questions and employer liability for uncollected Social Security taxes, employers may wish to forgo participation and continue collecting payroll taxes.

Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Tracking Remote Employees’ Work Hours | published on: 08.26.20

Employers should ensure they have appropriate time reporting procedures in place to help insulate from potentially-costly wage and hour claims.

The Post-COVID-19 Workplace: Safety and Productivity in a New Normal | published on: 08.06.20

Webcast discussion on how companies will transform their work spaces, plus the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the world of work.

What COVID-19 Tests Can Employers Require? | published on: 06.19.20

The EEOC recently stated that requiring employees to take an antibody test to return to the workplace violates the ADA.

Employers Take Note: COVID-19 Related Amendments Made to Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance | published on: 06.16.20

Chicago recently passed two notable amendments to the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance, which is scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2020.

Top Three Employer Issues in the Age of COVID-19: Time Off and Pay, Physical Workplace Considerations and Workforce Reductions | published on: 05.28.20

Webinar discussion on the top three issues employers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, plus emerging litigation trends.

OSHA Issues Revised Guidance Regarding Recordkeeping Relative to COVID-19 | published on: 05.21.20

OSHA is now requiring employers to keep records determining if employee cases of COVID-19 are “work-related,” removing a previous exemption for employers.

Navigating the Morass of Return-to-Work Considerations | published on: 05.21.20

Employers should consider these best practices when devising their return-to-work plans.

Chicago Proposes a Pair of Ordinances to Address COVID-19 Related Concerns | published on: 05.12.20

Retaliation for complying with public health directives would be prohibited, and Fair Workweek Ordinance litigation would be delayed.

EEOC Delays Collection of EEO-1 Reports Due to COVID-19 | published on: 05.11.20

The EEOC is seeking approval to collect 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 data from employers in March 2021. 

The ADA and COVID-19: Can Employers Consider Employee Medical Conditions When Bringing Employees Back to Work? | published on: 05.08.20

Employer obligations to employees that have known disabilities that may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Employment Considerations in Illinois’ Anticipated Extended Stay at Home Order | published on: 04.30.20

The Order will ease some restrictions on retail stores, allowing minimum basic operations to fulfill customer orders through pick-up and delivery.

Back to Basics: Managing Through COVID-19 with Traditional Labor Law | Part 5 | published on: 04.24.20

Under the CARES Act, “mid-sized” employers can qualify for favorable loans, but these come with some significant strings attached.

Back to Basics: Managing Through COVID-19 with Traditional Labor Law | Part 4 | published on: 04.23.20

How employers should handle a work stoppage, including a “safety strike” during an emergency.

Back to Basics: Managing Through COVID-19 with Traditional Labor Law | Part 3 | published on: 04.22.20

Employers may have a duty to provide information “relevant and necessary for the union to perform its duties as the employees’ bargaining representative.”

Back to Basics: Managing Through COVID-19 with Traditional Labor Law | Part 2 | published on: 04.21.20

The threshold issue facing an employer contemplating changes in its operation is whether or not the employer is free to implement those changes without first bargaining with the union.

Back to Basics: Managing Through COVID-19 with Traditional Labor Law | Part 1 | published on: 04.20.20

What are the limitations on how an employer may lawfully communicate with their unionized employees? 

OSHA’s Recent COVID-19 Guidance Does Not Change Workplace Best Practices | published on: 04.16.20

Most employers have been temporarily exempted by OSHA from determining whether a recorded case of COVID-19 was work-related.

CDC Relaxes 14-Day Self-Quarantine Recommendation for Essential Employees Exposed to COVID-19 | published on: 04.09.20

The CDC no longer recommends that certain exposed employees be sent home and quarantined for 14 days, and may continue to work so long as they remain asymptomatic and certain precautionary measures are taken.

Employers Likely to Face Wave of Lawsuits by Employees Stricken with COVID-19 | published on: 04.09.20

Employers should adhere to CDC and DOL guidelines and workplace safety best practices, which will blunt or defeat arguments that they breached a legal duty of care to their employees.

The Six Degrees of COVID-19 – Dealing with Gray Area Questions of Exposure | published on: 04.08.20

How employers should handle cases of employees who may have come into contact with someone exposed to the coronavirus, and other gray area cases.

Employers May Provide Tax-Free Disaster Relief Payments to Employees Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic | published on: 04.03.20

Qualified disaster relief payments from employers are tax-free to employees for federal income and employment tax purposes. However, they remain deductible expenses for employers.

Does the Current Pandemic Entitle an Employer to Take Emergency Action Without Bargaining with the Union? | published on: 04.03.20

The impact of COVID-19 are without precedent and likely will generate subsequent NLRB rulings on whether employers under particular circumstances may be relieved of their bargaining duties.

Labor Department Posts Additional FAQs on Paid Sick and Family Leave Under the FFCRA | published on: 03.30.20

The DOL explains intermittent leave under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act, plus the small business exemption.

As Unemployment Numbers Rise, States Ease Eligibility Requirements for Benefits | published on: 03.27.20

Employers who are facing tough employment decisions should consult with counsel to determine what options and resources exist for their employees.

How Employees May Access Their Retirement Savings in 2020 | published on: 03.27.20

Details on the different ways employees can gain early withdrawals from their retirement savings.

Senate Provided Expanded Benefits and Relief for Retirement and Health Plans | published on: 03.27.20

A detailed list of the retirement plan, health plan, and other benefit provisions from the coronavirus stimulus bill.

Help May Be on the Way with $2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Package | published on: 03.26.20

On March 25, a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package titled the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was unanimously approved by the Senate.

Update for Mid-Sized Employers: Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Conditions Neutrality in Union Organizing to Receive Financial Relief | published on: 03.26.20

Businesses with between 500 and 10,000 employees that receive a loan from the federal government must remain neutral in any union organizing drive that occurs during the term of the loan.

DOL Issues Much Sought After Guidance on the “Fewer Than 500 Employees” Threshold and Other Questions Under the FFCRA | published on: 03.25.20

The Department of Labor has clarified which employees count towards the 500-employee threshold of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Labor Department Issues Helpful Employer Guidance on COVID-19 | published on: 03.24.20

The Department of Labor posts its guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

IRS Provides Initial Explanation Regarding Employer Tax Credits Under the Coronavirus Relief Act | published on: 03.23.20

Clarification on how employer tax credits will work to pay for paid sick leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

IL Governor Issues “Stay at Home” Order (click to read) | published on: 03.20.20

The order goes in to effect on Saturday, March 21st 5:00 p.m. through the end of Tuesday, April 7th. The order includes a description of “essential businesses and operations” that will remain open during the duration of the order.

Coronavirus Relief Act – Summary of the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) | published on: 03.20.20

An overview of EFMLA impacts.

Coronavirus Relief Act – Summary of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) | published on: 03.20.20

An overview of EPSLA impacts.

EEOC Issues Guidance to Employers | published on: 03.20.20

An outline of the important points for employees including key Q&As for employers who are struggling with COVID-19 issues day-to-day within their operations.

Current Federal and Illinois State Resource Page | published on: 03.20.20

Compilation of guidance resources from CDC, DOL, EEOC, OSHA, Illinois Dept of Health and more.

Families First Legislation Requires First Dollar Coverage for COVID-19 Testing | published on: 03.20.20

New requirements for group health plans and health insurance policies concerning COVID-19 testing and related health provider visits.

Maintaining a Safe Workplace and Complying with the ADA: A Balancing Act | published on: 03.20.20

Important considerations for staying in compliance with the ADA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spike in Unemployment Shows Employers May Be Rushing into RIF Decisions | published on: 03.20.20

A warning that hasty reduction in force decisions may lead to more harm than good.

State of New Jersey Extends Health Coverage State Reporting Deadline | published on: 03.20.20

Details of New Jersey’s extension of their health care reporting deadline.

What Can An Employer Do If An Employee Ignores the Employer’s Directive or Guidelines to Self-Quarantine or Adhere to Social Distancing? | published on: 03.20.20

Thoughts on how employers can handle employees who choose to not comply with workplace rules related to COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Relief Bill Keeps Changing | published on: 03.18.20

Discussion of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which provides some paid sick leave protections to employees diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19, as it winds its way through Congress.

Employer Considerations for Preparing the Workplace for COVID-19 | published on: 03.12.20

An overview of what employers need to know to prepare their companies for COVID-19 based on OSHA’s recently issued “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19”.

Additional Wealth & Tax Considerations

Tax Savings in the Paycheck Protection Program | published on: 03.31.20

Small business loans from the CARES Act may provide companies with a significant tax deduction.

The CARES Act Offers a New Tax Planning Opportunity | published on: 03.30.20

The CARES Act temporarily repeals a section of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, for 2020 and retroactively back to 2018.

Do You Have Healthcare Power of Attorney for Your Adult Children? | published on: 03.26.20

Without a power of attorney, parents are limited in their ability to make healthcare decisions for an adult child, if needed.

Lowered Interest Rates, Market Declines and Increased Exemptions Present an Opportune Time for Tax Planning | published on: 03.19.20

The Federal Reserve has just announced lowered rates for April, and the “7520 rate” and “applicable federal rate” of interest are down 60% and 50%, respectively, from a year ago. Read how these lowered rates present an opportunity for certain tax and estate planning techniques.