We've gotten a lot of inquiries about setting up a new business during the COVID-19 crisis. As we confront this pandemic, people want to create businesses that are recession-proof or can be considered essential. #MattTheLawyer brings you some insight on the complexities of making such...
Small Business Advice
#mattthelawyer, Small Business Advice / 30.05.2020
How to Reopen Your Business and Keep your Employees Safe After COVID-19
When building your reopening plan for OSHA compliance, you are going to need to first assess what kind of risk your workers are going to be exposed to as they work. OSHA has four levels (with oh so creative names). Take some guidance from #MattTheLawyer...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
Bringing Employees Back to Work: EEOC Guidance on Accommodation
As we continue to focus on employer/employee relationships and bringing people back work, this is good time to talk about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Interactive Process, and what kinds of conversations employers should be having with their employees who may need accommodations...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Taxation
I have seen some rumors going around (on big media no less) that have incorrectly characterized some IRS guidance regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and how the loan, loan forgiveness, and deductibility of expenses will be handled. To say that major media outlets screwed...
This week launches our series of Focus Fridays, topics of interest to employers as the business of getting back open and operating in the COVID-19 world. This week #MattTheLawyer focuses on what steps you need to take in terms of employee handbooks, paid leave, teleworking...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
PPP Loans, Employees Refusing to Return, and the IRS
There are lots of questions about the use of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan proceeds. Most employers understand the requirement of using 75% of the loan on their payroll costs. But one question, among many, that arose dealt with what happens to the loan amount...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
DOL FFCRA Enforcement
The Department of Labor (DOL) is starting to enforce the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This video talks about that enforcement action, but also about what needs to be done to avoid getting the DOL up in your business. Reminder, the FFCRA still applies...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
New DOL Guidance: PSL, EFMLA, and PTO
On April 17, the temporary 30-day non-enforcement of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) by the Department of Labor (DOL) ended. Then, on April 20, the DOL clarified some guidance on the use of company provided Paid Time Off (PTO), Federal Paid Sick Leaves...
#mattthelawyer, Employment Law, Small Business Advice / 13.05.2020
Worker Safety: COVID-19 Business Recovery
As the government starts to make plans for recovery and loosening some of the restrictions put In place during the pandemic, a key concern for employers will be worker safety. Here is the link to the OSHA site for guidance on worker safety. You can...