COVID-19: IOWA COMMISSIONER JOSEPH CORTESE POSTPONES IN-PERSON HEARINGS UNTIL JUNE 18, 2021
On February 2, 2021, the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese extended the postponement of in-person hearings by the Commission from March 19, 2021, to June 18, 2021. For those of our avid followers who are keeping track, this is the sixth continuation of...
2021 CHANGES IN NEBRASKA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE AND WEEKLY INCOME BENEFIT RATES
Recently, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court adopted new mileage reimbursement rates. Effective January 1, 2021 the mileage reimbursement rate will become $.56 per mile for travel to seek related medical treatment or while participating in a vocational...
COURT HALTS ENFORCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13950 ON CONTRACTOR DIVERSITY TRAINING
On December 23, 2020, a federal district court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction stopping the federal government from enforcing Executive Order (EO) 13950. Santa Cruz Lesbian and Gay Cmty. Ctr., et al. v. Trump, No. 5:20-cv-07741-BLF (N.D. Cal. Dec. 23,...
COVID-19 UPDATE: COVID-RELATED TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020
Sunday evening, the President signed the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 (CTRA) into law. This legislation includes the long-awaited COVID-19 economic relief measures, in addition to federal appropriations for fiscal year 2021. The CTRA includes a number of...
COVID-19 UPDATE: RELIEF PACKAGE H.R. 133
On December 21, 2020, the United States Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) which includes the long-awaited COVID-19 Relief Package. The bill has been sent to President Trump for his signature. In addition to federal appropriations for...
COVID-19 UPDATE: EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE ON VACCINES
On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its much-anticipated guidance about the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination and its interplay with various employment laws. The guidance consists of nine Questions and Answers, and can...
COVID-19: IOWA COMMISSIONER JOSEPH CORTESE POSTPONES IN PERSON HEARINGS UNTIL MARCH 19, 2021
On October 12, 2020, Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese extended the postponement of in-person hearings by the commission from November 21, 2020 to March 19, 2021. This order was expected and is a continuation of the previous order issued by the...
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021, THE NEBRASKA MAXIMUM WEEKLY INCOME BENEFIT WILL BE $914.00
On January 1, 2021, the maximum weekly income benefit rate under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act will increase to $914.00. This amount will apply to work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2021. The new figure, $914.00, represents...
IMPACT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13950 ON CONTRACTOR DIVERSITY TRAINING
On September 22, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping. The EO aims to “promote unity in the Federal workplace, and combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating.” The EO covers federal...
NEBRASKA EMPLOYEE VOTING AND ELECTION WORKER LEAVE RIGHTS
With Election Day just around the corner, it is important to understand a Nebraska employee’s right to take leave to vote or serve as an election officer. This election year may prove to be an interesting one for employees who vote in person on Election Day. Long...