Latest COVID-19 Updates

  • Washington State Minimum Wage 2023 / 2024: Everything You Need to Know
    Washington State Minimum Wage 2023 / 2024: Everything You Need to Know
    All workers in Washington State (WA) are entitled to receive an hourly Minimum Wage rate according to Washington Labor Laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This Minimum Wage requirement includes a special wage rate for minors. In addition, the cities of Seattle and SeaTac have their own...
  • American Rescue Plan Act 2024 - What Companies Should Know
    American Rescue Plan Act 2024 - What Companies Should Know
    On March 11th, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. The newly enacted law includes credit updates to Employee Retention Credit, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

Solutions for Employers Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic 

CONTACT TRACING – Safeguard your employees and workplace

ATTESTATION SOLUTION – When compliance with company policies is critical

CONTACTLESS TIME CLOCKS – A clean time clock is essential in a time of pandemic

FFCRA SICK LEAVE CREDITS – Track emergency paid sick leave for employees and their offsetting tax credits for employers

LEAVE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION – Automated leave management increases visibility and productivity

Quick Links

Your Quick Reference Guide to federal legislation
Your quick reference to new legislation

   The Return to Work

         Latest guidance for businesses adapting to the new normal

  • Leave Management Solution
    Automated leave management increases visibility and productivity while minimizing compliance risk While managing unplanned, incidental absences — such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic — can have an impact on daily operations, managing employee leave of absence requirements and intermittent...
  • CDC Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
    Read the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.
See all Return to Work Updates

Resources for Washington State Employers

More Updates for Washington Employers

Federal Legislation

CARES Act

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans: What Companies Should Know
    As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic a new type of business relief known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), was implemented. Here is what businesses should know about PPP loans.
  • Employee Retention Credit
    Update November 2021: With the signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Employee Retention Credits are retroactively end dated as of September 30, 2021.
  • COVID-19 Employer Resources: Employee Retention Credit
    The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) that came out of the CARES Act back in March 2020, received some important, and potentially very valuable, modifications in the COVID-19 Relief package signed into law on December 27, 2020. The changes impact the credit going forward in 2021, as well as how it is...

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Sick and Emergency Leave Tax Credits

FFCRA mandates that employers provide paid sick and emergency leave but allows for the amount paid to be used as a credit against payroll taxes.

You can track leave wages paid to employees using specially configured earnings code set up by PayNorthwest for you in the system. Contact us now to get these leave earnings codes set up in the system for you.

 

Federal Restrictions on Relief Programs

FFCRA
Paid Leave

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan amounts cannot be used or forgiven for FFCRA wages covered by credit.

Employee Retention Credit

Employee Retention Credit (ERC) cannot be combined with PPP loans.

Important Legislative Responses that Affect Payroll & HR

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance

Obtain an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL)

EIDL advances provide up to $10,000 of relief to businesses experiencing difficulty due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The EIDL program is for any small business with less than 500 employees affected by COVID-19.

Read the full program details from the U.S. Small Business Administration and apply for a loan

Department of Homeland Security Announces Flexibility in Form I-9 Requirements

On March 20, 2020, DHS announced new flexibility in Form I-9’s physical proximity requirements. Employers who are implementing physical proximity precautions due to COVID-19 may defer the review of an employee’s identity and employment authorization documents in the employee’s physical presence. However, Section 2 documents must still be inspected remotely, and employers must obtain a copy of these documents.

Employers must write “COVID-19” as the reason for the physical inspection delay in the Additional Information field of Form I-9 once normal operations resume.

Read the full details of this change from DHS

Temporary USCIS Policies Related to COVID-19 

Federal Loan Garnishment Suspension

Under the CARES Act, Federal Student Loans borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows them to temporarily stop making loan payments. This suspension of payments will last until Sept. 30, 2020, but borrowers can still make payments if you choose.

Learn about Federal Student Loan Forbearance from studentaid.gov

OSHA Standards and Directives

OSHA record-keeping requirements mandate that covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA 300 log.

COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following are true:

  • The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19
  • The case is work-related
  • The case involves medical treatment beyond first aid or days away from work

Read OSHA’s full guidelines at osha.gov

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and COVID-19

Employment discrimination based on national origin and race is unlawful. The EEOC continues to enforce the nation’s employment non-discrimination laws throughout the pandemic.

If you have any questions, or for more information, consult eeoc.gov.

Resources by State

Recent Updates

More Updates

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your guys hard work and dedication to get us all Small Business owners through this absolute C.R.A.Z.Y times!! Please know that your guys’ hard work never goes unnoticed and that it is always appreciated!!!
Stay safe and healthy!!!

Amanda
Northline Surveying