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

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 5, 2020 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

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 Commissioner at the start of the pandemic, but it has some far reaching and […]

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021, THE NEBRASKA MAXIMUM WEEKLY INCOME BENEFIT WILL BE $914.00

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Nov 18, 2020 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

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 one hundred percent of the state wide average weekly wage (rounded to the nearest […]

IMPACT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13950 ON CONTRACTOR DIVERSITY TRAINING

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Nov 4, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

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 contractors, federal agencies, certain federal grant recipients and the military and applies to contracts entered […]

NEBRASKA EMPLOYEE VOTING AND ELECTION WORKER LEAVE RIGHTS

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 30, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

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 lines and waiting time may impact an employee’s […]

COVID-19 UPDATE: DOL’S FFCRA REVISED REGULATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT HEALTH CARE PROVIDER EXCLUSION

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 8, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued revised regulations related to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) after a federal court decision invalidated several initial regulatory provisions. The new regulations were posted in the Federal Register and became effective as of September 16, 2020.  The DOL updated Q&A can be […]

CHAVEZ v. MS TECHNOLOGY, LLC: THE CONTINUED EVOLUTION IN THE DEFINITION OF WHAT A ‘SHOULDER’ IS UNDER SECTION 85.34(2)(n)

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 5, 2020 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

On September 30, 2020, the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, Joseph S. Cortese, II, issued another opinion further clarifying the definition of a ‘shoulder’ in Iowa. Chavez v. MS Technology, LLC. was issued on the heels of a prior recent opinion from the Commissioner regarding the definition of a ‘shoulder,’ Deng v. Farmland Foods, Inc. The […]