Federal Alerts

The Department of Labor has amended regulations for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) after a federal court struck down parts of previous regulations. The amended regulations take effect September 16, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has issued an opinion letter that addresses whether employers must use the IRS mileage rate to reimburse employees when they use their personal vehicles for work purposes.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has issued an opinion letter that addresses the fluctuating workweek method of calculating overtime.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that employers will be allowed to inspect Form I-9 documents remotely in certain situations related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These procedural changes have been extended until September 19, 2020.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has adopted a new standard for determining whether employees are protected from adverse action after making abusive statements in the course of activity that is otherwise protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

As a reminder, federal contractors and subcontractors have until August 4, 2020, to incorporate the updated Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form (CC-305) into their applicant and human resources processes.

For more guidance on implementing the form, please see OFCCP’s frequently asked questions on this topic.

Chicago has published rules and enacted two ordinances that will expand coverage under the city's paid sick leave law, create new notice and recordkeeping requirements, and prohibit adverse action against employees because of COVID-19. The changes take effect on July 1, 2020.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants and employees because they are gay or transgender.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued updated guidance on recording occupational illnesses related to COVID-19. The guidance took effect May 26, 2020 and remains in effect until further notice.

The DOL has issued a final rule that allows employers to offer bonuses or other incentive pay to employees who are paid overtime under the fluctuating workweek method of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule takes effect August 7, 2020.