Category Employment & Labor (3)

E-Verify COVID-19 Accommodation: New Temporary Rule for I-9 Compliance

On May 1, 2020, the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that expiring list B documents used for the purpose of validating an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States may be treated as if the employee provided a valid receipt for the document for I-9 purposes. DHS reasoned that, “Because many areas are under... Read More

Congress Injects an Additional $310B in Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program—Eligible Borrowers Should Act Quickly

Late last week, Congress passed—and President Trump signed—a new round of small business relief funding, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhance Act, which includes an additional $310 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). In just two short weeks, the first round of funding was exhausted, leaving many... Read More

COVID-19 Update: Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants

Summary The highly anticipated Presidential Proclamation which suspends entry of certain immigrants during the economic recovery period of COVID-19 has been signed and will be effective at 11:59 pm today, April 23, 2020. In short, the suspension affects a limited group of foreign nationals – those who are outside the United States and without a... Read More

COVID-19 – Additional Employer Funding Sources

Many businesses are asking questions about new SBA loans available under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Oftentimes businesses are not aware of other new resources available in the form of refundable advance tax credits — reimbursing the cost of employee wages paid in connection with COVID-19. In many cases, the credits available can exceed... Read More

H-1B Lottery Concluded – Petitions May Be Filed Beginning April 1

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced earlier this week that the H-1B electronic registration process and the FY2021 lottery has concluded. Employers are now eligible to file a FY2021 H-1B cap-subject petition — provided they electronically registered the beneficiary in the H-1B registration process, and the registration was... Read More

DOL Issues Much Anticipated Guidance for FFCRA Paid Leave Requirements

Today, the US Department of Labor announced its much anticipated temporary rule, providing regulations to implement the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These temporary paid leave laws are intended to help workers forced to grapple with... Read More

What Would a Shelter-in-Place Order Look Like for Iowa?

As of today, Iowa is not under a shelter-in-place order. Governor Kim Reynolds has declined to issue a shelter-in-place order, but it may be coming. Cedar Rapids Mayor, Brad Hart, has urged Governor Reynolds to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order and has contemplated issuing a local order and Des Moines Mayor, Frank Cownie, has urged Des... Read More

Are You Exposing Your Business to the Risk of Coronavirus-Related Litigation?

We’re in the midst of dealing with COVID-19 and if you’re like many Iowa businesses, you’re just trying to keep up with the daily changes and problems the pandemic is bringing. But what about after the pandemic? Will there be a wave of Coronavirus-related litigation? How do you know if you’re exposing yourself now to the risk of litigation later?... Read More

COVID-19 and Essential Service Personnel Guidance

The Iowa Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) provided guidance last week related to COVID-19 isolation requirements for essential service personnel. Essential services personnel include: Healthcare providers; Law enforcement; Fire & EMS personnel; Long-Term Care personnel; Residential Support Facility personnel; and Public Health & Emergency... Read More

Iowa Workforce Development Changes Policy on Unemployment Benefits and PTO

Iowa Workforce Development announced today that effective immediately, employees who are or will be laid off, or are unable to work for COVID-19-related reasons, will not be required to use all available paid leave before becoming eligible to receive Iowa unemployment benefits. This change is not retroactive and claims will not be backdated. This... Read More