Coronavirus - Labor, HR & Paid Leave Impacts

Latest Updates

EEOC Issues Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance on Religious Accommodations
November 19, 2021
Provides Additional Information on Religious Objections to Workplace Vaccine Requirements The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions about religious objections to employer COVID-19… Read More
AGC Challenges the Broad Application of OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine/Testing Mandate
November 5, 2021
On Nov. 4, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its long anticipated COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS).  As anticipated, the ETS requires all employers with 100 or more employees to either mandate vaccinations, or encourage… Read More
Can Employers Make Unvaccinated Employees Pay More for Health Insurance?
October 21, 2021
Many employers are wondering about the extent to which they can incent employees and their dependents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by adjusting medical plan eligibility, modifying medical plan premiums payable by employees, and/or excluding coverage of treatment of the coronavirus where a plan… Read More
The U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Guidance
May 28, 2021
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions arising under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws. The EEOC also posted a new resource for job applicants and employees… Read More
How to Ask Employees if They've Been Vaccinated
April 14, 2021
Now that the country is on course to see all adult Americans eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in a matter of days, and an increasing number of employees are returning to the workplace, vaccination status is likely to be an increasingly common topic over the coming weeks and months. This has led… Read More
AGC Provides Vaccine Policy Resources Free to Members
February 8, 2021
Webinar Playback and Q&A Document Now Available In response to the present situation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic and the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, AGC of America (AGC) has recently produced several resources to assist construction employers as they consider any vaccine policies… Read More
EEOC Issues COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Guidance
December 17, 2020
The EEOC has released COVID-19 vaccination-related guidance, including information about employer-mandated vaccinations for employees.  The guidance can be found in the EEOC’s existing resource on COVID: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO… Read More
Revises FFCRA Regulations Clarifying Paid Leave Requirements
September 21, 2020
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The revisions made by the new rule clarify workers’ rights and… Read More
EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication
September 9, 2020
Learn More at AGC’s Construction HR and Training Virtual Conference The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted an updated technical assistance document, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws (WYSK),” which incorporates… Read More
DOL Releases Guidance on Teleworking Arrangements
August 24, 2020
Clarifies Employers’ Obligations to Track Compensable Hours With telework arrangements expanding in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2020-5 to clarify an employer’s obligation to track… Read More
President Acts on Unemployment Insurance; Implementation Questions Present Roadblocks
August 13, 2020
On August 8, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum on unemployment assistance that would provide an additional $400 in weekly unemployment benefits to be shared between the states and federal government (25 percent and 75 percent, respectively). Previously, the CARES Act included a $600/… Read More
President Acts on Payroll Tax Deferral: What this Means and What Employers Should Know
August 13, 2020
On August 8, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum that would defer—not forgive—the withholding, deposit and payment of certain payroll taxes paid from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020. Specifically, the presidential memorandum: (1) applies to employees who “generally” make less than $4,000… Read More
COVID-Relief Bill Negotiations Stall; Chances Fade for Agreement in August
August 13, 2020
Since August 7, Congressional Democratic and White House leaders have failed to hold substantive negotiations on additional COVID relief legislation. On August 10, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced that the House would not hold votes again until September 14. While this does not… Read More
DOL Provides FFCRA Guidance for Federal Contractors
August 3, 2020
Clarifies Outstanding Fringe Benefit Questions Regarding Paid Leave The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released additional guidance for employers with certain federal contracts regarding paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First… Read More
DOL Releases Additional Guidance as Workplaces Reopen
July 21, 2020
Covers FLSA, FMLA, and FFCRA Issues The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released additional guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how the requirements and protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical… Read More
DOL Launches Families First Coronavirus Response Act Public Awareness Campaign
July 15, 2020
PSA’s Will Promote Workers’ Rights to Paid Sick Leave, Safe Workplaces, and Lawful Pay The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently announced the launch of a far-reaching public awareness campaign to remind workers that the agency is committed to ensuring… Read More
DOL Adds Summer School and Camp Closures to Emergency Paid Leave Qualifications
July 2, 2020
Provides Online Tool to Help Workers Determine Eligibility   The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently issued a Field Assistance Bulletin addressing paid sick or expanded family and medical leave eligibility under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (… Read More
Congress Extends Paycheck Protection Program Loan Application Deadline
July 2, 2020
On June 29, the Senate passed legislation by unanimous consent to extend the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications by five weeks, to August 8th. On June 30, the House agreed to the Senate bill, also by unanimous consent, and President Trump is expected to sign the… Read More
DOL Adds Summer School and Camp Closures to Emergency Paid Leave Qualifications
June 29, 2020
Provides Online Tool to Help Workers Determine Eligibility The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently issued a Field Assistance Bulletin addressing paid sick or expanded family and medical leave eligibility under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (… Read More
What Construction Contractors Can Expect from Multiemployer Pension Plans Following COVID-19 Crisis
June 25, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis portends a new and troubling outlook for union construction contractors participating in multiemployer pension plans. While many multiemployer pension plans had been recovering enough from the 2007–2009 Great Recession to have their current funding levels approach or exceed… Read More
Union and Open-Shop Contractors Alike Should Consider the NLRA When Workers Refuse to Work Based on COVID-19 Safety Concerns
June 18, 2020
Whether your workplace has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, is just reopening now, or will do so sometime later this year, employers should be prepared for the possibility that some employees may refuse to work due to COVID-related safety concerns. While most employers are aware of… Read More
EEOC Says Employers Can't Require COVID-19 Antibody Tests
June 18, 2020
Viral Tests for Active Cases Still Allowed The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new question… Read More
EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication
June 11, 2020
Contains Q&A Section of Common Workplace Questions The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has again updated and expanded its technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The… Read More
EEOC Delays EEO Data Collections Due to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
May 27, 2020
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will delay the anticipated opening of the 2019 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection and the 2020 EEO-3 and EEO-5 data collections because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, the agency announced today in a Federal… Read More
AGC Comments on Building Trades' COVID-19 Jobsite Standards
May 27, 2020
North America’s Building Trades Unions (“NABTU”) and CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training (NABTU’s research arm) on April 27 publicly released COVID-19 Standards for U.S. Construction Sites.  The document provides recommended practices for construction employers to implement… Read More
House Passes $3 Trillion Relief Bill, AGC Seeks Improvements Through Legislative Process
May 21, 2020
Prior to the House passing its more than $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill on May 15, AGC shared with legislators its comprehensive analysis on construction industry priorities missing from and included in the bill. There, the association noted that the legislation failed to include liability… Read More
US DOL Publishes Emergency Paid Leave Regulations
April 1, 2020
Treasury Issues Tax Credit FAQs The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the… Read More
US DOL Issues More Guidance on Emergency Paid Leave Requirements
March 26, 2020
On March 26, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced more guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the emergency paid leave offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes… Read More
CBA Negotiations in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: What If Your Union Contract Expires on March 31, 2020?
March 26, 2020
As employers everywhere grapple with the COVID-19 crisis and its impact upon their employees and operations, questions have arisen regarding union contracts that expire on or about March 31, 2020. Although every labor contract and bargaining relationship is unique, established federal labor law… Read More
US DOL Publishes New Federal Paid Leave Guidance Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 24, 2020
On March 24, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published guidance to provide information to employers about meeting their requirements to offer emergency paid sick leave and paid family medical leave offered by the Families First Coronavirus… Read More
NLRA Considerations for Union Contractors in the Coronavirus Era
March 24, 2020
COVID-19 (or coronavirus) presents a formidable health and safety challenge to employers, and unionized employers also must address issues in the context of their obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and a collective bargaining agreement. The broad range of issues includes both… Read More
Update on Federal Paid Leave Mandates under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201
March 21, 2020
On March 20, Treasury, IRS and DOL announced their intent to implement these new mandates. Items to note:   SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTIONS: It appears that guidance/regulations will be issued from the Secretary of Labor to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50… Read More
Summary of Paid Leave Mandates under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201
March 18, 2020
On March 18, 2020, Congress approved and the president signed into law legislation that includes mandates for employer-fronted federal paid leave—emergency sick leave and emergency paid family and medical leave described below. These requirements take effect on April 2, 2020, and sunset on December… Read More
AGC Opposes House-Passed Paid Leave Proposal
March 16, 2020
In a March 16, 2020 letter to the Senate, AGC stressed the need to address the 14 weeks of employer-fronted paid leave mandated under the House-passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and to offer workable solutions. AGC cannot support a Senate product that includes this… Read More

Upcoming Webinars

AGC’s Two Part Webinar Series: Paycheck Protection Program

Member Price: FREE| Non Member Price: $149

Part One: Paycheck Protection Program: Key Updates and Developments in the Ground Rules of the Program
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)

Part Two: Paycheck Protection Program: Preparing Your Business Today for Audits, Oversight, and Agency Enforcement and Whistle Blower Actions Tomorrow
Thursday, May 7, 2020, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
 
Click here to learn more about each webinar and register.

Past Webinars

4/08/2020: Maintaining Cash Flow During the COVID-19 Crisis: An Overview of New Federal Support Programs & Practical Advice for Contractors [Slides, Recording]

Additional Resources