March 2021 Federal HR Updates
E-Verify Adds New myUploads Feature Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing E-verify. What happened?On March 10, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the
E-Verify Adds New myUploads Feature Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing E-verify. What happened?On March 10, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the
Congress Passes American Rescue Plan Update Applicable to:All employers operating within the United States. What happened?The American Rescue Plan, the second COVID-19 related stimulus bill,
ICE Extends I-9 Verification Flexibility Update Applicable to:All employers with remote workforces. What happened?On January 27, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the
EEOC updates Compliance Manual on Religious Discrimination Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued an
Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On December 29, 2020, the DOL issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2020-7, which provides guidance to the DOL’s field staff on
Update Applicable to:Any employers utilizing workers abroad who utilized Form I-765. What happened?The DHS has announced that employers may use unexpired Form I-765, Employment Authorization
Update Applicable to:Any employers looking to utilize the H-1B visa program. What happened?U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a final rule that will modify
COVID-19 Relief Bill: What It Means for PEOs & Small Business What happened?On Monday December 21, the House passed an omnibus spending bill that included $1.4
The CARES Act provided an opportunity for employers to offer the option of allowing qualified individuals to take a distribution (up to $100,000) from their IRA,
New Jersey Governor Signs Executive Order 192 What happened?Governor Murphy signed Executive Order (EO) 192 on October 29, 2020 with an effective date on November
Department of Labor (DOL) Issues New COVID-19 Guidance for Employers What happened?On November 7, 2020, the DOL released two documents outlining common workplace inspection citations
Effective January 1, 2021, minimum wage rate increases will go into effect for a number of states, cities, and municipalities. These increases will be applicable
Trump Administration Announces Interim Final Rules for H-1B Visa Changes What happened?Per guidance by the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the
New Jersey Department Of Labor Issues Final Regulations for COVID-19 Job Protection Law What happened?On March 20, 2020, New Jersey passed a new job protection
Department of Labor (DOL) Joint Employer Rule Struck Down by New York Court What happened?On September 8, 2020, Judge Woods of the U.S. District County
The Department of Labor (DOL) has posted their new official revised regulations for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), effective immediately. In addition, the
DHS Extends Temporary COVID-19 Rule Allowing Certain H-2A Petitioners to Hire Certain Foreign Workers What happened?The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has temporarily extended some
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Religious Employers What happened?On July 8, 2020, the Supreme Court decided two cases involving the impact of religion in
What happened?U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has extended Form I-9 compliance flexibility, most notable for its allowance of remote verification for Section 2 of
Summary of State Laws (Q1 & Q2 2020) Employee ClassificationSeveral bills have been enacted that penalize employers for improperly misclassifying employees as independent contractors and
Supreme Court Affirms LGBTQ+ Protection Against Discrimination What happened?On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects
Effective July 1, 2020, minimum wage* increases will be in effect for a large number of states, cities, and municipalities. This increase will be applicable to
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination based
Fluctuating Workweek What happened?On May 20, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a change to the rules governing overtime for fluctuating workweek salaried workers.
Worker Misclassification What happened?A new posting has been released regarding workers’ misclassification. What are the details?Employers are required to post the notice, which explains: (1)
On April 14, 2020, we sent out a communication regarding COVID-19 relief updates including two new loan options: Main Street New Loan Facility and Main Street Expanded
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) What happened?The CDC issued additional guidance for critical infrastructure workers. What are the details?Employers should pre-screen staff before they come
Updates to Mini-WARN Act What happened?The governor signed a bill that makes critical changes to the NJ Warn Act which took effect on January 21,
Pre-Tax Transportation Fringe Benefits What happened?New Jersey passed a law which requires employers to offer pre-tax commuter benefits to employee’s effective March 1, 2020. What
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources At Vensure, we are working hard to provide up to date and important information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review our Coronavirus
Effective April 1, 2020, the FFCRA will go into effect. Under federal law, all employees must receive a copy of the new Department of Labor
What happened?On March 20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced flexibility in complying with requirements related to
The COVID-19 pandemic and national response has been evolving over the past couple of weeks. Each day holds new information and important updates. We want
The state of New Jersey has recently signed a new bill into law requiring employers to offer pre-tax commuter benefits. For more information and ensure
Department of Transportation Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates Increase for 2020 What happened?The Department of Transportation (DOT) operating agencies have announced that their random
Final Regulations for Earned Sick Leave Law Released What happened?The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (the “Department”) issued regulations regarding enforcement of
Employee Retirement Income Security Act – Increased Penalties What happened?The Department of Labor (DOL) has increased the penalties for employers if they are found to