We continue to update our COVID-19 Risk Management ALERTS to keep you abreast of the changing, confusing and conflicting Pennsylvania and Federal guidelines, recommendations and requirements.
COVID-19 illnesses and deaths are surging to their highest levels since the outbreak began and it appears an effective vaccine is 1-2 years away. The negative impact on businesses will continue and additional government assistance may or may not be coming.
To help you prepare and plan for the long-term we now have an online COVID-19 Policies & FAQ Reference Manual designed to:
save you time and stress;
keep you up to date with ‘best practices’ and regulatory compliance changes; and
answer your COVID-19 related Human Resource and Safety Risk Management questions.
Details:
The Manual is in an Adobe PDF ‘word searchable’ format and includes a ‘hotlinked’ Table of Contents that takes you quickly to the question you need answered.
COVID-19 policies are in Microsoft WORD so that you can customize to meet your specific needs.
The FAQs are URLs that are linked to the source - typically a Federal or Pennsylvania government site.
Frequent updates will be available to you as ‘best practices’ and regulatory changes take place.
Cost:
The annual cost is $500 for our current Certified Safety Committee and Safety Compliance (ISNetworld, Avetta/BROWZ, ComplyWorks, ConstructSecure) clients.
The annual cost for new clients is $750.
There is no cost to current Human Resource Risk Management clients.
Contact me with questions or to begin your 12-month subscription.
Mel - 610-476-6326
Dr. Mel Cooksey
Director of Risk Management
COVID-19 POLICIES & FAQ REFERENCE MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSENTEEISM/TARDINESS/ATTENDANCE
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) & COVID-19 FAQs
ANTIBODY TESTING
In Clinical and Public Health Settings
Return to Work Testing
BANK GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
BARS - CDC CONSIDERATIONS FOR BARS
BENEFITS OVERVIEW
CHILD CARE
Child Care Tax Credit
Employer Paid Sick Leave Tax Credit
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open
Paid Sick Leave for Employees
School Closings – Updated 3/30/2020
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
Businesses, Home, Public Spaces, Schools & Workplaces
Your Facility
COBRA
CONTACTS WITH OTHERS
When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
CONTAGIOUS/INFECTIOUS DISEASES
CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT
CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES – 30 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD
COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS
DEATHS FROM COVID-19
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Paid Family or Sick Leave
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC)
EMERGENCY PAID SICK LEAVE
FACE COVERINGS
Fraudulent Facemask Flyers
Masks are Mandatory in All Public Spaces
Universal Face Covering Requirements
FRAUDULENT FACE MASK FLYERS
HOMELAND SECURITY
INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES FROM THE CDC
LOANS
Small Business Administration – Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES – GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING – GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
MEDICAL INQUIRIES
MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR COVID-19 TESTING/TREATMENT – P. 10
MEDICATIONS
MINI COBRA
Mini-COBRA Questions & Answers from the PA Department of Health – Page 17
NON-ENFORCEMENT PERIOD
OFFICE BUILDINGS GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
OSHA AND COVID-19
300/300A Recordkeeping
Recordkeeping – Guidance from OSHA
Enforcement Guidance
Guidance on Returning to Work
Preparing Workplace for Coronavirus
Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert
PAID AND UNPAID LEAVES
Documentation for Paid Family or Sick Leave
Employer and Employee Paid Leave - Overview
Family and Medical Leave Act & COVID-19
Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave
Businesses That May or May Not Continue Physical Operations
Certified Workplace Safety Committee
Changing Rates of Pay
Health Insurance
Medical Marijuana
Stay at Home Order Guidance
Unemployment Compensation - Employer
Workers’ Compensation for Employees Impacted by COVID-19
POSTINGS – CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)
Stop the Spread of Germs – 11” x 17”
Stop the Spread of Germs – 8.5” x 11”
POSTINGS – US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employee Rights – Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave
POULTRY AND MEAT PROCESSING – GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
RECORDKEEPING – GUIDANCE FROM OSHA
REGULATORY ACTS
RESTAURANTS - CDC CONSIDERATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS
RETURN TO WORK
Antibody Testing
Guidance on Returning to Work from OSHA
SCHOOLS - CONSIDERATIONS FROM THE CDC
SPORTS – CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUTH SPORTS FROM THE CDC
SUMMER CAMPS – SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUTH & SUMMER CAMPS
SYMPTOMS
What Should an Employer Do When an Employee has COVID-19 Symptoms?
TAX CREDITS FAQS
Child Care Tax Credits
Employer Tax Credits
Employer Paid Sick Leave Tax Credit
Payroll Tax Relief
Tax Credit Documentation Required by the IRS
TAXES
TELEWORK
TERMINATIONS, LAYOFFS, AND FURLOUGHS
TEMPERATURE TAKING
TESTING
Antibody Testing in Clinical & Public Health Settings
Antibody Testing and Return to Work
Considerations for Non-Healthcare Workplaces
Insurance Coverage for COVID-19 Testing/Treatment – Page 9
Medicare Coverage for COVID-19 Testing/Treatment – P. 10
TRAVEL
What Should an Employer Do When Employees Return from Out of State?
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
Federal (FPUC)
Pennsylvania and COVID-19
VIDEOS - CDC
VOLUNTEERING
WEBSITES
Pennsylvania – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pennsylvania – Governor Tom Wolf
Pennsylvania – Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
US Center for Disease Control (CDC) – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
US Center for Disease Control (CDC) – Interim Business Guidance
US Department of Labor (US) - COVID-19 and the American Workplace
US Federal Emergency Management Administration – Rumor Control
US – Coronavirus FAQs
US – Family & Medical Leave Act & COVID-19
US - Government Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
US – IRS – Coronavirus Tax Relief
US – Medicare & Coronavirus
US – Small Business Administration - Small Business Guidance & Loans
US – Supporting Small Businesses
White House – CDC – FEMA – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 FAQ LIBRARY
ACCRUED LEAVE
Under what circumstances may an employer require an employee to use his or her existing leave under a company policy and when does the choice belong to the employee? #86
AGE
Do employees age 65 and over have protections under the federal employment discrimination laws? H.1 (6/11/20)
May an employer postpone the start date or withdraw a job offer because the individual is 65 years old or pregnant, both of which place them at higher risk from COVID-19? C.5 (4/9/20)
ANTIBODY TESTING
May antibody test results be used to make decisions about returning persons to the workplace? A.7 (6/17/2020)
APPLICANTS
May an employer delay the start date of an applicant who has COVID-19 or symptoms associated with it? C.3 (3/18/20)
May an employer screen applicants for symptoms of COVID-19? C.1 (3/18/20)
ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 EMPLOYEES
What should an employer do when an employee has been exposed to COVID-19?
BANKS & FACE COVERINGS
Do banks and financial institutions need to comply with the masking requirement if there are associated security concerns with face coverings? (7/30/2020)
BARS & RESTAURANTS
What is the CDC’s guidance for restaurants & bars?
CHILD CARE & CLOSED SCHOOLS OR PROVIDERS
May an employee get paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave, or both if the employee is home with the employee’s own child because the child’s school or place of care is closed, or child care provider is unavailable? #10
Is a school or place of care “closed” when the school or place of care has moved to online instruction or to another model in which children are expected or required to complete assignments at home? #70
CHILD CARE & CARING FOR OTHER CHILDREN
May an employee take expanded family and medical leave to care for a child other than the employee’s own child? #72
CHILD CARE & TELEWORKING
May an employer ask employees why they are now unable to work or if they have pursued alternative child care arrangements after they have been teleworking productively since mid-March without any issues and now claim they need to take paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave to care for their children, whose school is closed because of COVID-19, even though these employees have been teleworking with their children at home for four weeks.? #91
CHILDREN & FACE COVERINGS
Does the Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings apply to children and adults while in schools? (7/30/2020)
When do children have to wear a mask? (7/30/2020)
Should children wear face coverings?
CHILDREN & FRIENDS
Can children hang out with their friends?
CHILDREN & REOPENING GUIDANCE
Where can reopening guidance be found?
CHILDREN & RISKS
What is the risk of a child becoming sick with COVID-19?
CLEANING THE WORKPLACE
How should an employer clean the workplace?
CONGREGATING IN THE GREEN PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions?
CONGREGATING IN THE RED PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions?
CONGREGATING IN THE YELLOW PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions?
CONTACT TRACING
What is contact tracing?
COUNTING HOURS OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
How does an employer count hours worked by a part-time employee for purposes of paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? #5
COST OF TESTING/TREATMENT
What should an individual do who gets a bill for testing? Page 15
Who pays for COVID-19 diagnostic testing/treatment if needed? Page 9
COVID-19 CLAIMS
When is a COVID-19 claim covered as a work-related illness? Page 3 (4/10/2020)?
COVID-19 Deaths & Travel in the U.S. & CDC
COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST RESULT NOTIFICATIONS
Is an employer required to notify other employees if a worker gets COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19
DISCRIMINATION
Are there steps an employer should take to address possible harassment and discrimination against coworkers when it re-opens the workplace? E.2 (4/17/20)
DISINFECTING THE WORKPLACE
How should an employer disinfect the workplace?
DOCTOR’S NOTE & RETURN TO WORK
DOCUMENTATION FOR EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE PAID LEAVE
What documentation is required for an employee to receive paid sick (EPSLA) or family (EFMLA)?
What documents does an employee need to give the employer to get paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? #16
DOCUMENATION FOR TAX CREDITS
Are wage payments for qualified leave wages made after December 31, 2020, but for periods of leave taken before December 31, 2020, eligible for the credits? #48(4/28/2020)
How long are the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages available? #47 (4/28/2020)
How long should an eligible employer maintain records to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credit? #46 (4/28/2020)
What additional records should an eligible employer maintain to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credit? #45 (4/28/2020)
What documentation must an eligible employer retain to substantiate eligibility to claim the tax credits? #4 (4/28/2020)
What information should an eligible employer receive from an employee and maintain to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credits? #44 (4/28/2020)
What records does an employer need to keep when an employee takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? #15
DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSES
What documentation may an employer require from an employee who claims to have tiredness or other symptoms of COVID-19 and is taking leave to seek a medical diagnosis? #92
When can documentation be required? #92
DRIVING & FACE COVERINGS
Are masks required while driving for work? (7/30/2020)
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES & HEALTH INSURANCE
What if an employee has health concerns that require emergency medical services? #4 (3/9/2020)
EMPLOYEE CONCERNS
Can an employer force an employee to work who has concerns about COVID-19?
What if an employee has health concerns that require emergency medical services? #4 (3/9/2020)
EMPLOYEE TESTING
What testing does the CDC recommend in the workplace?
EMPLOYEES AND RETURN TO WORK
When should an employee suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 return to work?
EMPLOYEES WITH SYMPTOMS OR A POSITIVE TEST
What should an employer do when an employee has a suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19?
What should an employer do when an employee has COVID-19 symptoms?
What should an employer do an employee is working and then found to have COVID-19?
EVENTS
How many people can safely attend an event?
Does the CDC recommend all event attendees wear face coverings?
FACE COVERINGS & BANKS
Do banks and financial institutions need to comply with the masking requirement if there are associated security concerns with face coverings? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS & BUSINESSES
Do businesses need to deny entry to those not wearing a face covering such as a mask? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS & CHILDREN
When does a child have to wear a mask? (7/30/2020)
Should children wear face coverings?
FACE COVERINGS & DRIVING
Are masks required while driving for work? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS & EVENTS
Does the CDC recommend all event attendees wear face coverings?
FACE COVERINGS & FACE SHIELDS
Does a disposable face shield suffice in lieu of a mask? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS & FAMILY MEMBERS
Do individuals need to wear a mask when around their own family members? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS & FRAUDULENT FLYERS
Are “exempt” cards authorized by the US Department of Justice?
FACE COVERINGS & OSHA
Are employers required to provide face coverings to employees?
Should employees wear face coverings while at work?
FACE COVERINGS & SOCIAL DISTANCING
Do individuals need to wear a mask when inside a public place and can maintain social distancing? (7/30/2020)
If employees wear face coverings, do employees still need to social distance?
FACE COVERINGS IN HOT WEATHER
Is it acceptable to remove face coverings when high temperatures and humidity may create unsafe conditions, or simply if the weather is very warm? (7/30/2020)
Does the masking requirement apply to workers who are outdoors, and who engage in heavy physical activity, such as employees of solid waste companies and landscapers? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS IN OFFICES
Do employees have to wear a mask if they are alone in their workplace or office? (7/30/2020)
FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC
Should employees wear a mask in public?
FACE COVERINGS IN SCHOOLS
Does the Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings apply to children and adults while in schools? (7/30/2020)
FACE SHIELDS
Does a disposable face shield suffice in lieu of a mask? (7/30/2020)
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)
Where can answers to questions be found?
FAMILY LEAVE WAGES & TAX CREDITS
What are “qualified family leave wages”? #8 (4/28/2020)
FFCRA
Where can answers to questions be found?
FRAUDULENT FLYER & FACE COVERINGS
Are “exempt” cards authorized by the US Department of Justice?
GREEN PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions? (7/16/2020)
HARASSMENT
Are there steps an employer should take to address possible harassment and discrimination against coworkers when it re-opens the workplace? E.2 (4/17/20)
HEALTH INSURANCE
Can an insurance carrier cancel or refuse to renew an insurance policy if an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 or a preexisting respiratory illness? #5 (3/9/2020)
What should an employee do if the employee has health concerns that require emergency medical services? #4 (3/9/2020)
HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFTIS
Can an employer terminate or reduce an employee’s health benefits at any time? Q6 (4/28/2020)
If an employer temporarily closes because of the COVID-19 outbreak, are employees still covered by the employer's group health plan? Q1 (4/28/2020)
HEALTH INSURANCE TESTING & TREATMENT
Will insurance cover testing and treatment related to COVID-19? #2 (3/9/2020)
Who pays for COVID-19 diagnostic testing if needed? #3 (3/9/2020)
HEALTH PLAN EXPENSES & TAX CREDITS
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
HOT TUBS & SWIMMING POOLS
Can COVID-19 spread through swimming pools and hot tubs?
INTERMITTENT PAID LEAVE
May an employee take expanded family and medical leave intermittently while the employee’s child’s school or place of care is closed, or child care provider is unavailable, due to COVID-19 related reasons, if the employee is not teleworking? #22
May an employee take paid sick leave intermittently while working at the employee’s usual worksite (as opposed to teleworking)? #21
May an employee take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave intermittently while teleworking? #20
JOB OFFERS
May an employer postpone the start date or withdraw a job offer because the individual is 65 years old or pregnant, both of which place them at higher risk from COVID-19? C.5 (4/9/20)
May an employer withdraw a job offer when it needs the applicant to start immediately but the individual has COVID-19 or symptoms of it? C.4 (3/18/20)
LANDSCAPERS & FACE SHIELDS
Does the masking requirement apply to workers who are outdoors, and who engage in heavy physical activity, such as employees of solid waste companies and landscapers? (7/30/2020)
MEDICARE & TAX CREDITS
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
OFFICES
How should an employer clean the workplace?
OSHA & COVID-19 TRAINING
What COVID-19 training resources are available for employers?
What topics should employees cover in COVID-19 training for employees?
OSHA & DISINFECTING THE WORKPLACE
How should an employer disinfect the workplace?
OSHA & EMPLOYEES PROTECTING THEMSELVES
Where can employees find general information on protecting themselves?
OSHA & FACE COVERINGS
Do employees have to wear a mask if alone in their workplace or office? (7/30/2020)
If employees wear face coverings, do employees still need to social distance?
Are employers required to provide face coverings to employees?
Should employees wear face coverings while at work?
OSHA & POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
What should an employer do when an employee tests positive for COVID-19?
OSHA & PPE
Can employees bring their own PPE to use at work if they feel they are at risk of exposure to COVID-19?
OSHA & PROTECTING EMPLOYEES
What precautions should an employer take?
Where can employers find general information on protecting their employees?
OSHA & RETURN TO WORK
When can employees who have had COVID-19, or may have had COVID-19 return to work?
Where can employers and employees find OSHA’s guidance on returning to work?
OSHA & SOCIAL DISTANCING
If employees wear face coverings, do employees still need to social distance?
OSHA & TELEWORK
Do OSHA’s regulations and standards apply to the home office? Are there any other Federal laws employers need to worry about if employees work from home?
OSHA & WORKING
Can an employer force an employee to work who has concerns about COVID-19?
OSHA & WORK-RELATED COVID-19
What does OSHA mean by work-related COVID-19?
OUTDOOR WORK & FACE COVERINGS
Does the masking requirement apply to workers who are outdoors, and who engage in heavy physical activity, such as employees of solid waste companies and landscapers? (7/30/2020)
OVERTIME PAY
Must overtime pay be included when calculating pay due to employees under the The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act? #6
PAID LEAVE
May an employer require employees to take paid leave that they may have under the employer’s existing paid leave policy concurrently with expanded family and medical leave under the EFMLEA? #33
May an employee take paid sick leave to care for any individual who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order or who has been advised to self-quarantine? #64
If an employee takes paid sick leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, does that count against other types of paid sick leave to which the employee is entitled under State or local law, or the employer’s policy? #46
May an employee use paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave together for any COVID-19 related reasons? #47
When is an employee eligible for paid sick leave to care for someone who is self-quarantining? #65
When is an employee eligible for paid sick leave to self-quarantine? #61
PAID LEAVE & FFCRA
May an employee use an employer’s preexisting leave entitlements and FFCRA paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave concurrently for the same hours? #31
PAID LEAVE WAGES & TAX CREDITS
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
PAID LEAVE WAGES & WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS
May an employee take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave if the employee is receiving workers’ compensation or temporary disability benefits through an employer or state-provided plan? #76
PAID SICK LEAVE & THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
Do PPP loans cover paid sick leave? (6/25/2020) #7
PAID SICK LEAVE
May an employee take 80 hours of paid sick leave for their own self-quarantine and then another amount of paid sick leave for another reason?
Can an employer deny an employee paid sick leave if the employer gave the employee paid leave for a reason identified in the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act prior to the Act going into effect? #11
PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
How does an employer count hours worked by a part-time employee for purposes of paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? #5
Must overtime pay be included when calculating pay due to employees under the The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act? #6
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
Do PPP loans cover paid sick leave? (6/25/2020) #7
FAQs (6/25/2020)
PETS
Can an individual get COVID19 from their pet?
POSITIVE COVID-19 TESTS
What should an employer do when an employee has suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19?
What should an employee do who tests positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms?
What should an employer do an employee is working and then found to have COVID-19?
What should an employer do when an employee tests positive for COVID-19?
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Can employees bring their own PPE to use at work if they feel they are at risk of exposure to COVID-19
POSTINGS REQUIRED FOR COVID-19
What COVID-19 related posting are required?
PPE & OSHA
Can employees bring their own PPE to use at work if they feel they are at risk of exposure to COVIND-19?
PRE-EXISTING RESPIRATORY ILLNESS & HEALTH INSURANCE
Can an insurance carrier cancel or refuse to renew an individual’s insurance policy if the individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 or a preexisting respiratory illness? #5 (3/9/2020)
PREGNANCY
Due to the pandemic, may an employer exclude an employee from the workplace involuntarily due to pregnancy? J.1 (6/11/20)
May an employer postpone the start date or withdraw a job offer because the individual is 65 years old or pregnant, both of which place them at higher risk from COVID-19? C.5 (4/9/20)
QUARANTINE & SELF QUARANTINE
Are stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders the same as quarantine or isolation orders and, if so, when can an employee take leave under the FFCRA for reasons relating to one of those orders? #87
May an employee get paid FFCRA leave wages if the employee became ill with COVID-19 symptoms and decides to quarantine for two weeks and then returns to work and did not seek a medical diagnosis or the advice of a health care provider? #62
When is an employee eligible for paid sick leave to self-quarantine? #61
May an employee take paid sick leave to care for any individual who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order or who has been advised to self-quarantine? #64
When is an employee eligible for paid sick leave to care for someone who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order? #63
When is an employee eligible for paid sick leave to care for someone who is self-quarantining? #65
RED PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions? (7/16/2020)
REDUCED WORK HOURS
If an employer reduces an employees scheduled work hours, can the employee use paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for the hours that the employee is no longer scheduled to work? #28
REFUSAL TO WORK
What does an employer do when an employee refuses to accept suitable work?
REOPENING SCHOOLS GUIDANCE
Where can reopening schools guidance be found?
REQUIRED COVID19 POSTINGS
What COVID-19 related posting are required?
RESTAURANTS & BARS
What is the CDC’s guidance for restaurants & bars?
RETURN TO WORK
When can employees who have had COVID-19, or may have had COVID-19 return to work?
Where can employers and employees find OSHA’s guidance on returning to work?
When should an employee suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 return to work?
When employees return to work, does the ADA allow employers to require a doctor's note certifying fitness for duty? A.5 (3/17/20)
SCHOOLS
Where can an individual find reopening guidance?
Does the Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings apply to children and adults while in schools? (7/30/2020)
May an employee take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave to care for the employee’s children because the employee’s school is closed for summer vacation? #93
Is a child’s school or place of care ‘closed’ when they move to online instruction or to another model in which children are expected or required to complete assignments at home? #70
Under what circumstances are students permitted to remove their face coverings? (7/30/2020)
SHELTER-IN-PLACE
Are stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders the same as quarantine or isolation orders? If so, when can an employee take leave under the FFCRA for reasons relating to one of those orders? #87
SICK LEAVE & PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
Do PPP loans cover paid sick leave? (6/25/2020) #7
SICK LEAVE WAGES
What is included in “qualified sick leave wages”? #20 (4/28/2020)
May an employer deny an employee paid sick leave if the employer gave the employee paid leave for a reason identified in the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act prior to the Act going into effect? #11
May an employee take 80 hours of paid sick leave for the employee’s self-quarantine and then another amount of paid sick leave for another reason provided under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act? #9
SICK LEAVE WAGES & FAMILY LEAVE WAGES
Can an employee receive both “qualified sick leave wages” and “qualified family leave wages”? #58 (4/28/2020)
SICK LEAVE WAGES & TAX CREDITS
Are amounts other than qualified sick leave wages included in the tax credit for required sick leave? #23
(4/28/2020)
How much tax credit may an eligible employer receive for qualified sick leave wages that it pays? #21 (4/28/2020)
What are “qualified sick leave wages”? #7 (4/28/2020)
SICK LEAVE WAGES & TAXES
Are qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave wages taxable to employees? #57 (4/28/2020)
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Do individuals need to wear a mask when inside a public place and can maintain social distancing? (7/30/2020)
Should individuals socially distance at least 6 feet apart from others who are not part of your household? (7/30/2020)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS IN FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions? (7/16/2020)
STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS
Are stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders the same as quarantine or isolation orders? If so, when can an employee take leave under the FFCRA for reasons relating to one of those orders? #87
SUMMER
May an employee take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave to care for the employee’s child because the child’s school is closed for summer vacation and the employee took paid sick leave and is now taking expanded family and medical leave to care for the child whose school is closed for a COVID-19 related reason? #93
SWIMMING POOLS & HOT TUBS
Can COVID-19 spread through swimming pools and hot tubs?
SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
What should an individual do who thinks or knows they have COVID-19 and had symptoms?
SYMPTOMS & EMPLOYEES
May an employer delay the start date of an applicant who has COVID-19 or symptoms associated with it? C.3 (3/18/20)
May an employer require employees to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19? A.4 (3/17/2020)
An employee claims to have tiredness or other symptoms of COVID-19 and is taking leave to seek a medical diagnosis. What documentation may an employer require from the employee to document efforts to obtain a diagnosis? When can it be required? #92
What should an employer do when an employee has COVID-19 symptoms?
TAX CREDITS
What is the amount of the refundable tax credits available to eligible employers? #6 (4/28/2020)
What tax credits does the FFCRA provide? #1 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS & DOCUMENTATION
What documentation must an eligible employer retain to substantiate eligibility to claim the tax credits? #4 (4/28/2020)
How long should an eligible employer maintain records to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credit? #46 (4/28/2020)
What additional records should an eligible employer maintain to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credit? #45
(4/28/2020)
What information should an eligible employer receive from an employee and maintain to substantiate eligibility for the sick leave or family leave credits? #44
TAX CREDITS & FAMILY LEAVE WAGES
What are “qualified family leave wages”? #8 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS & HEALTH PLAN EXPENSES
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS & PAID LEAVE WAGES
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS & MEDICARE
How does an eligible employer claim the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages (plus any allocable qualified health plan expenses and the amount of the eligible employer’s share of Medicare tax)? #37 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS & PAID SICK LEAVE WAGES
How much tax credit may an eligible employer receive for qualified sick leave wages that it pays? #21 (4/28/2020)
What are “qualified sick leave wages”? #7 (4/28/2020)
TAX CREDITS DATES
Are wage payments for qualified leave wages made after December 31, 2020, but for periods of leave taken before December 31, 2020, eligible for the credits? #48 (4/28/2020)
How long are the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages available? #47 (4/28/2020)
Are wage payments for qualified leave wages made after December 31, 2020, but for periods of leave taken before December 31, 2020, eligible for the credits? #48 (4/28/2020)
How long are the refundable tax credits for qualified leave wages available? #47 (4/28/2020)
When can employers start claiming FFCRA tax credits? #2 (4/28/2020)
TAXES & PAID SICK LEAVE WAGES
Are qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave wages taxable to employees? #57 (4/28/2020)
TELEWORK
Are there any other Federal laws employers need to worry about if employees work from home?
Do employers have to pay employees their same hourly rate or salary if they work at home?
Do OSHA’s regulations and standards apply to the home office?
May an employer encourage or require employees to telework (i.e., work from an alternative location such as home) as an infection control strategy?
May an employee take expanded family and medical leave intermittently while the employee’s child’s school or place of care is closed, or child care provider is unavailable, due to COVID-19 related reasons, if the employee is not teleworking? #22
Can an employer ask employees why they are now unable to work or if they have pursued alternative child care arrangements when they have been teleworking productively since mid-March without any issues and now claim they need to take paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave to care for their children, whose school is closed because of COVID-19, even though these employees have been teleworking with their children at home for four weeks? #91
TEMPERTURE TAKING
When may an employer take an employee’s body temperature? A.3 (3/17/2020)
TEMPERATURE TAKING LOG
May an employer maintain a log of temperature taking results? B.2 (4/9/20)
TEMPERATURE TAKING POST JOB OFFER
May an employer take an applicant's temperature as part of a post-offer, pre-employment medical exam? C.2 (3/18/20)
TESTING
What testing does the CDC recommend in the workplace?
TESTING COSTS
How does an employee know if insurance will cover testing and treatment related to COVID-19? #2 (3/9/2020)
What should an employee do after receiving a bill for testing? Page 15
Who pays for COVID-19 diagnostic testing if needed? #3 (3/9/2020)
TESTING NOTIFICATIONS FOR POSITIVE RESULTS
Is an employer required to notify other employees if a worker gets COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19?
TRAINING
What topics should employees cover in COVID-19 training for employees?
What training resources are available for employers?
TRAVEL
COVID-19 Deaths by State
Should individuals stay home or quarantine after traveling to areas of high amounts of COVID-19?
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Can an employee collect unemployment insurance benefits for the time the employee received pay for paid sick leave and/or expanded family and medical leave? #29
WAGES & TELEWORK
Do employers have to pay employees their same hourly rate or salary if they work at home?
WORK & CONGREGATE SETTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions in the GREEN phase? (7/16/2020)
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions in the RED phase? (7/16/2020)
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions in the YELLOW phase? (7/16/2020)
WORK RELATED COVID-19 CLAIMS
May and employee take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave if the employee is receiving workers’ compensation or temporary disability benefits through an employer or state-provided plan? #76
What does OSHA mean by work-related COVID-19?
When is a COVID-19 claim covered? Page 3 (4/10/2020)
WORKPLACES & FACE COVERINGS
Do employees have to wear face coverings if alone in their workplace or office? (7/30/2020)
YELLOW PHASE REQUIREMENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
What are the work & congregate settings restrictions & social restrictions? (7/16/2020)
