"This notice provides guidance ... on the federal income and employment tax treatment of cash payments made by employers under leave-based donation programs to aid victims of the further Russian invasion of Ukraine. This guidance is similar to the guidance provided in Notice 2001-69 ... as modified and superseded by Notice 2003-1 ... regarding charitable relief following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks."  MORE >>

"The law creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program funded through employer and employee contributions. PFML contributions will begin to be required in 2025, and covered employees will be able to access benefits in 2026."  MORE >>

Summarizes key dates for calendar year 2022 regarding activities and policies that are outlined in other documents. Updated May 18, 2022.   MORE >>

"The judge ruled that New York City can continue to enforce the law against the hotel, despite its legal challenge to the law, which requires hotels to pay laid-off workers $500 per week. The court reasoned that neither [ERISA], nor the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) preempted the law, nor did the law appear unconstitutional." [RHC Operating LLC v. City of New York, No. 21-9322 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2022)]  MORE >>

"[T]he court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining HHS from interpreting or enforcing Section 1557 and its regulations against the group's present or future members in a manner that would [1] require them to provide, offer, perform, facilitate, or refer for gender transition services, or [2] prevent, restrict, or compel the group members' speech on gender identity issues. Furthermore, the EEOC is enjoined from interpreting or enforcing Title VII against the group, its insurers, or [TPAs] in a manner that would require the group's present or future members to provide insurance coverage for gender transition services." [Christian Employers Alliance v. EEOC, No. 21-195 (D.N.D. May 16, 2022)]  MORE >>

"he employer was fortunate that its apparently generic employee handbook only said that the employee 'may' be entitled to FMLA leave, and that a company official had told the employee that she was not entitled to FMLA leave. Otherwise, despite its size, the employer, through its words and actions could have unintentionally bound itself to the FMLA requirements." [Jones v. Wireless Time of Alabama LLC, No. 20-0613 (S.D. Ala. Feb. 10, 2022)]  MORE >>

"Class action cases filed against high-visibility defendants in Georgia, Michigan, Florida, and elsewhere allege the companies violated federal law when they sent purportedly inaccurate, threatening, or confusing notices of former employees' rights to elect to continue medical-insurance coverage after their employment ended."  MORE >>

"As we wait for future IDR rulemaking, ... the agencies have already revised their IDR process guides in response to the trial court's decision and announced that the IDR Portal is open. Thus, notwithstanding the uncertainty created by the court's decision, the IDR process is 'live.' Plans will need to be prepared for the short and strict timelines and other aspects of the IDR process recently highlighted in FAQ guidance[.]" [Texas Medical Assoc. v. HHS, No. 21-0425 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 23, 2022; on appeal to 5th Cir. No. 22-40264; stay granted May 3, 2022)]  MORE >>

"[E]mployees aren't the only ones to feel the sting from financial stress. The impact to employers may take the shape of productivity decline, higher employment costs, delayed retirement, etc.... [A] tailored financial wellness program can offer employees a clear path to finding a healthy balance of living for today and feeling confident about the future while working to help employers create a more productive workplace."  MORE >>

"About 60 percent of Americans diagnosed with substance use disorder are working .... But while there are certainly many rewards to be gained by offering employee benefits that address substance abuse, there are also some potential risks.... [1] Offer an array of options ... [2] Provide easy access ... [3] Encourage leaders to lead the charge ... [4] Protect privacy and confidentiality."  MORE >>

"The Washington Health Benefit Exchange ... submitted a waiver application that, if approved, allows states to bypass or change some [ACA] requirements. If the federal government greenlights the waiver in the coming months, thousands more Washingtonians will be eligible for new health and dental benefits starting in 2024 ... [T]he state could become one of the first in the country to offer comprehensive benefits regardless of immigration status."  MORE >>