Mandatory Notice Requirements for COBRA Continuation
The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances, such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between […]
Stephanie Kobal Koenig To be Panelist in LVB Leadership Series Webinar
On Wednesday, April 28 at noon, FLB Real Estate & Employment Law attorney Stephanie Kobal Koenig will be a panelist in the Lehigh Valley Business Leadership Series webinar, “Positioning Your Business in a Post COVID Economy.” This free webinar will feature Ms. Koenig and other local leaders as they discuss what companies should be doing […]
CROWN Act Legislation Prohibiting Hair-Based Employment Discrimination Expands
New Mexico has just become the latest state to add to the growing momentum of “CROWN Act” legislation across the country, passing laws to prohibit employment discrimination based on a person’s hairstyle, natural hair texture and related characteristics. Title VII & Hair-Related Discrimination Since its passing, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 […]
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 Notes and Highlights
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “ARP”) is the latest in Coronavirus relief legislation. On March 10, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the bill as amended by the Senate. President Biden signed the ARP into legislation on March 11. Below is a summary of the provisions that will have a direct impact […]
Pennsylvania Lifts the Travel Quarantine Requirement
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf rescinded the state-wide order requiring anyone over the age of 11, who visits another state, to quarantine for 14 days upon returning to Pennsylvania. The so-called “quarantine” order had been in effect since November 2020.
Christopher J. Kalbfell Joins The Literacy Center Board of Directors
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba congratulates Christopher J. Kalbfell who recently joined the Board of Directors for The Literacy Center. “I’m excited to be a part of this community-based organization focused on adult literacy,” said Mr. Kalbfell. “I look forward to working with the other members of the Board to help ensure everyone in the area […]
Office Romance – Navigating the Risks this Valentine’s Day Season
As we begin year two of a global pandemic, most in-person activities remain severely restricted, and many employees continue to work remotely. Given these restrictions, employers may be lulled into a false sense of security that risks posed by office romance are no more.
Biden Administration Retracts the DOL’s Proposed Tip Pooling Rule
In the early days of President Joe Biden’s presidency, his administration has not wasted any time reviewing and, sometimes, revoking employment-related regulatory rules issued in the final days of the Trump administration. For example, the United States Department of Labor (DOL), at President Biden’s direction, withdrew three previously issued opinion letters on now-frozen rules related […]
Dipping Your Toe in the Tip Pool: The Department of Labor Issues New FLSA Guidance
[Update: President Biden’s administration withdrew three opinion letters issued by the prior administration.] The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in both private and government sectors. On December 22, 2020, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Final Rule addressing amendments made […]
Brighter Days Ahead? The Latest Guidance for Employers on Vaccines and the Workplace
With the initial distribution of the first vaccines approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration currently underway, employers are increasingly concerned about the extent to which they may or must mandate employee vaccination.