With COVID-19 vaccinations widely available, many people have returned to the workplace. As pandemic safety guidelines remain in a state of flux, businesses may have questions about vaccination mandates and other workplace practices.
Generally yes. Be aware of any employees with a protected leave situation as well as anyone with a disability who requests continued remote work as a reasonable accommodation.
Yes, businesses can encourage employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine by providing monetary incentives, gift cards, time off, or other perks. However, consider how you will handle employees who are unable to get the vaccine because of a disability or religious belief.
Yes, unless your state has passed a law prohibiting vaccine mandates. Check with legal counsel before implementing such a requirement.
Yes, but proceed carefully. Employers can request proof of vaccination. However, if an employee refuses the vaccine, you need to determine if they’re refusing for a legally protected reason that requires reasonable accommodations.
In May, the Department of Labor issued emergency rules designed to protect workers from COVID-19. Barring any dramatic developments in the pandemic, it is anticipated those rules will remain in effect through October.
It’s expected that OSHA will play a more active role in addressing COVID-19 under the Biden administration, and failure to adhere to emergency protocols could expose your business to OSHA complaints.
The Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act would get rid of what’s known as the step-up in basis to tax the unrealized gains of certain estates at death.
Step-up in basis refers to the way the value of an asset is readjusted for tax purposes upon inheritance.
Telecommuting is the new normal for many employers who never would have considered such an arrangement in the past.
Employers with out-of-state remote workers should consult with a lawyer to discuss associated legal risks and develop policies to address them
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which passed in late 2019, was only the start of changes for the retirement industry. A bipartisan bill, which has been nicknamed “SECURE Act 2.0,” is in the works.
A new federal law targets wealthy buyers who purchase high-priced homes and commercial properties through anonymous shell companies. The law is designed to combat money laundering and stop the flow of illicit money into U.S. real estate.
For people who want to work while collecting Social Security, the “retirement earnings test” (RET) rules can be confusing. Some people think they’ll lose out on benefits if they continue to work, but that’s not true.
If you are in a committed relationship but are not married to your partner, estate planning is essential. Unless you each draft a will and designate the other person as a beneficiary, your assets will pass to other family members and your partner will receive nothing when you die. Further, without proper planning you won’t