Category: DOL

The Department of Labor Reaffirms and Clarifies Provisions of its FFCRA Rule Invalidated by Federal District Court in New York

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When the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York invalidated several provisions of the Department of Labor’s (“DOL’s”) FFCRA regulations last month, many employers were left wondering whether to change their policies in response to the decision.  Meanwhile, the legal community debated the geographical scope of the ruling’s impact and wondered how … Continued

COVID-19 Update: DOL’s New Guidance on FFCRA School Closure Leaves

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New DOL Guidance for FFCRA Leaves On Re-Opening Schools With schools reopening across the country, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued three new FAQs that clarify certain school closure scenarios under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The new FAQs, numbered 98-100, specifically limit FFCRA benefits to those instances when a child’s … Continued

As Businesses Reopen, the DOL Continues to Update FFCRA Q&As

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On July 17, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued additional Q&As related to COVID-19.  Though employers are probably exhausted by these updates, the Q&As provide guidance that will help businesses stay compliant during the pandemic.  This blog summarizes the new Q&As, which are numbered 94 through 97, but we recommend that employers and their human … Continued

Federal Court Invalidates Multiple Provisions of DOL FFCRA Rule

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In an August 3, 2020 Opinion and Order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York invalidated multiple provisions of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Final Rule implementing the leave-related requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The federal judge ruled that numerous provisions in the rule were unlawful … Continued

New FMLA Forms Have Arrived!

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With little fanfare, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published revised model notices and forms for use with administering Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave requests. On July 16, 2020, the DOL posted the revised forms on its FMLA webpage. As we reported last August, the DOL sought public feedback on proposed changes to … Continued

FFCRA: Summer Program Closures May Trigger Leave Benefits

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School work is done for this academic year and kids are moping around, bored because their summer camp plans were cancelled due to COVID-19. Are employees able to take leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to care for their kids because their summer programs have been cancelled? Which programs qualify and what … Continued

How the DOL’s New ERISA Rules Affect Employers

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In Response to COVID-19 DOL Issues New Rule ERISA Rules, explained by James Venable Esq., SPHR and Sue Woods, Esq. Transcript: Welcome to our Podcast. I’m Sue Woods, and I’m Senior Compliance Counsel at ReedGroup, and I’m here with James Venable, Vice President of Compliance and Employment Law for ReedGroup, a Guardian company. Sue: These … Continued

U.S. DOL FFCRA Rule Faces Challenges and Q&A Guidance

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) recently released Temporary Rule and Q&A guidance concerning the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provided much-needed detail for employers and third-party leave administrators grappling with administering the FFCRA’s new paid leave entitlements. However, the DOL’s regulations and Q&As contained some surprises for those who were relying on … Continued