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Employers with group health plans offering prescription drug coverage must provide Medicare Creditable Coverage and/or Non-Creditable coverage notices each year in September and no later than October 15th (or at least once in every 12-month period, especially if there is a change in plans or carriers).  These notices must be provided to all Medicare-eligible employees and dependents on the … Continued

Do your supervisors, managers and hiring personnel know that Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates employers provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants? During the hiring process, employers are mandated to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with known disabilities unless doing so would cause the employer an undue hardship. Reasonable accommodation is defined … Continued

As part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), effective January 1, 2026, there will be a permanent increase to the annual contribution limit for Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAP), also known as Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care FSA).  As many of you know, these types of plans are employer-sponsored benefits which allow employees to set money aside on a … Continued

Effective March 11, 2024, the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor (DOL) revised its guidance on how to analyze whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  Here are some indicators: Employee Working for someone else’s business Generally, can only earn more by … Continued

In the United States, it is reported that 1 in 4 adults suffer from mental health disorders in a given year.  Mental health disorders may qualify for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Here are some examples: Can an employee experiencing anxiety use FMLA?  Anxiety is a chronic condition if it requires … Continued

Did you know that under the Pregnant Woman’s Fairness Act, there are a limited number of simple workplace accommodations that will, in virtually all cases, be found to be reasonable?  The following accommodations would not impose an undue hardship to the employer and would never require documentation from a medical professional: Allowing an employee to carry … Continued

In order to remain compliant with various federal regulations, employers are required to distribute many notices throughout the year.  A lot of employers find it easier to use electronic means to distribute notices, but many are surprised to find there are requirements that must be met in order to do this: Employees must affirmatively consent to receiving … Continued

Reminder: Employers may remotely examine employees’ Form I-9 documents. The employer must participate in E-Verify in good standing. E-Verify is a no-cost, web-based system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. New E-Verify users must complete a tutorial that … Continued

Effective January 1, 2025, minimum wage in Virginia increases from $12.00 an hour to $12.41 an hour. This is in accordance with the Virginia Minimum Wage Act: The Act states that the adjusted minimum wage rate should be a sum of the current minimum wage ($12.00 per hour) and a percentage of the current minimum wage … Continued