Tax Credits for Voluntarily Providing Leave Temporarily Extended The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted announced additional guidance to provide information about protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA’s paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements expired on Dec. 31, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, on March 8, 2021.

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass. Have Worst Year-over-Year Losses, While Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. and Walla Walla, Wash. Register Largest Gains in Industry Jobs

In an amicus brief filed on December 23, AGC of America urged the National Labor Relations Board to change its standard for determining the lawfulness of union displays of stationary banners and inflatable rats at the workplace of a neutral employer. The Board invited interested parties to submit amicus briefs in the case International Union of Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 150 (Lippert Components, Inc.), Case 25–CC–228342. The case provides an opportunity for the Board to reconsider the permissive approach established by the Obama Board in the 2010 Eliason & Knuth decision on bannering and in the 2011 Brandon Regional Medical Center case on Scabby the inflatable rat.

Association Weighs Legal Options

AGC Urges Quick Action on Infrastructure Funding and Protection from Meritless Lawsuits; Industry Survey Finds Widespread Pessimism about Volume of Projects Available to Bid on in 2021

Forecast Provides Insight into How Contractors Expect the Coronavirus to Continue Impacting the Industry, Whether Demand Will Recover and If They Plan to Add Staff, Technology This Year

Measure’s Modest Amount of Funding for Infrastructure Projects and Clarification that PPP Loans May Not be Taxed Will Help Offset Some of the Challenges Facing the Construction Industry

GBCA’s CLC has dedicated itself to help emerging construction professionals build relationships in the industry. The CLC’s Virtual Coffee Chats are putting leading construction executives and newer construction professionals into the (virtual) room together. With COVID-19 response mostly eliminating in-person events in the Philadelphia region, GBCA’s CLC has worked to ensure that emerging professionals are able to introduce themselves to the industry’s leaders. The CLC’s Virtual Coffee Chats feature a construction executive sharing their stories of how they became leaders in the industry and answering questions from the audience. These 30-minute morning conversations create a casual and comfortable atmosphere for CLC members to connect with industry leaders.

New York and Vermont Record Worst February-November Losses, While Virginia Has Largest Pickup; California, Nevada Have Worst One-Month Job Losses, While Texas and Delaware Post Biggest Gains