US Department of Labor – Paid Sick Leave Provisions

The US Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued notice that covered employers are required to share regarding the recently passed paid sick leave provisions. That notice can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf If you are an employer with fewer than 500 employees, you are covered by these new provisions subject to possible exemptions. These leave benefits become effective April 1, 2020. In…

Covid-19 Business Checklist

COVID-19 is creating unprecedented business disruptions around the globe, and it is important to take this situation seriously. Acting with urgency is crucial, but having a plan of attach will mitigate confusion down the road. We recommend focusing on two main points: 1. Health and Safety of Your Office and Your Team: Your health and the health of your team…

Is your work or business considered “essential”?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Department of Defense, and other agencies have issued guidance on industries and workers “essential” to critical infrastructure.  They recommend these businesses remain open and prioritized for continuous operations.  Industries include: medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and…

NEW OMB GUIDANCE ENCOURAGING FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS

In an attempt to mitigate the unfolding COVID-19 public health emergency, state and local governments have started issuing “lockdown” or “stay-at-home” orders. Generally, the state lockdown orders have directed that all businesses utilize telecommuting or work-from-home procedures to the maximum extent practicable. Where telework is impractical, some states are only permitting essential businesses to remain open. Companies with operations in…

Covid-19 Resources

OFP Covid-19 Articles  OFP’s COVID Response Team is ready to assist clients, businesses and individuals as the world adjusts to the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our attorneys are prepared to help you find creative solutions that help you weather these unprecedented times. Response Team Lead Attorney: Bruce Blanchard Direct Dial:   Employment issues (Examples: temporary salary reductions, furloughs…

COVID-19 & Gaining Control Over Your Business Finances

As the coronavirus shifts the way the world works, businesses should take this break in normal operating procedure to re-evaluate their finances. If your business is struggling, OFP recommends the following financial triage: Save as much cash as possible. There are many more options both prior to and after declaring bankruptcy when there is cash on hand and the business…

IRS Extends Tax Payment Deadline

Businesses and individuals now will have until July 15 to file and pay their taxes. This means that you have an additional three months to plan and prepare your returns without having to incur penalties or interest on up to $1 million in tax owed. Businesses will have the same time period to pay amounts due on up to $10…

Update for Employers – Families First Coronavirus Response Act Now Law

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law and will become effective not later than 15 days later, April 1, 2020(FN1).  There are some differences between what was ultimately passed and what was summarized in our early article from March 16, 2020. In particular, the Act still provides two weeks (80 hours) of paid…

Covid-19 & Federal Contract Suspensions

Construction and many other contractors who cannot telework may be receiving stop-work orders or facing other unique challenges on their government contracts in the face of COVID-19.  Impacts may be exacerbated for personnel working in the field who may not be receiving guidance from the government due to unavailability of their Contracting Officers (CO) or Contracting Officer Representatives (COR). There…

What Employers Need to Know About Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On Sat., March 14, 2020, the House passed a supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 6201, providing for various economic measures to respond to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.  The Senate is expected to vote on the Bill as early as Monday night, and President Trump has expressed his support for the measures. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the…