COVID-19: IOWA COMMISSIONER JOSEPH CORTESE POSTPONES IN-PERSON HEARINGS UNTIL JUNE 18, 2021

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Feb 5, 2021 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

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 the suspension of in-person hearings since March 13, 2020, when the pandemic […]

2021 CHANGES IN NEBRASKA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE AND WEEKLY INCOME BENEFIT RATES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jan 7, 2021 | BLOG, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

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 rehabilitation plan. Further, the maximum weekly indemnity benefit has increased to $914.00 for injuries occurring on or after […]

COURT HALTS ENFORCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13950 ON CONTRACTOR DIVERSITY TRAINING

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 29, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

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, 2020). The EO, considered controversial since its implementation in September 2020, prohibits federal contractors and […]

COVID-19 UPDATE: COVID-RELATED TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 29, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

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 provisions affecting the workplace including important changes to the CARES Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response […]

COVID-19 UPDATE: RELIEF PACKAGE H.R. 133

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 22, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT, FIRM NEWS

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 fiscal year 2021, individual stimulus checks, extended federal unemployment benefits, rental assistance, an extension of […]

COVID-19 UPDATE: EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE ON VACCINES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 22, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

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 be found in Section K here. The Guidance generally confirms an employer’s ability to require its employees to […]