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Download PDFOver the past week, federal and New York State laws have been enacted to require certain employers to provide paid benefits to employees who cannot work as a result of COVID-19. New York State Law Obligations As of March 18, 2020, New York State’s COVID-19 Quarantine Leave Law (Quarantine Leave Law) requires employers, with limited exceptions, to provide job protection and up to 14 days of paid quarantine benefits to employees who are unable to work because they are [...]

Download PDFAs the impacts of the spread of COVID-19 continue to influence dramatic changes, businesses and individuals face increasing uncertainty and difficulties. Steps have been taken to ease the administrative burden of filing tax return and paying taxes due.  Additionally, aid, in the form of tax credits, has been provided to assist employers.  Filing and Payment Deadlines DeferredThe IRS has established a policy that provides the following to all taxpayers, that means all [...]

Download PDFAs the impacts of the spread of COVID-19 continue to influence dramatic changes in federal, state, and local efforts, businesses face increasing uncertainty and difficulty in managing their contractual responsibilities and expectations. In general, the virus’s impact on contractual obligations will be fact-driven and a reading of the specific terms of individual contracts will be necessary. Keep in mind that the terms of each contract will typically dictate the applicable law, [...]

Download PDFIn an effort to help our employer clients deal with the constantly changing workplace circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna is providing the following checklist of strategies and issues for employers to consider:  Can you reduce employee work schedules or employee pay rates?  You should consider:Is the employee non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) (i.e., entitled to overtime if he or she works more than 40 [...]

Download PDFCheck your commercial property insurance policy for business income, extra expense, dependent  properties, crisis management, business travel and meeting cancellation and contract penalties insurance coverage.      ___    Is the business shuttered because an employee has COVID-19 or the virus is present at the premises?  A business that must suspend operations because of COVID-19 potentially has insurance coverage for its lost income and extra [...]