2021 Blog Archives
July 1, 2021
MARIJUANA IN THE VIRGINIA WORKPLACE
Effective today, July 1, 2021, Virginia has some new laws concerning cannabis products that employers should note. Adults aged 21 and older may possess and use up to one ounce of cannabis in private residences. Adults may also grow up to four cannabis plants. These home-grown plants should be kept out of public view, away from people under 21, and labeled with ID tags. It will still be illegal to do any of the following:
June 24, 2021
Changes Coming on June 29 to Virginia's COVID Workplace Safety Rules
Happy Summer, people! I thought I'd share a few noteworthy L&E developments that were on my desk during the last few weeks. Don't shoot the messenger, but you're going to have to read some more COVID safety regs before you head to the beach.
Blog Categories:June 15, 2021
NEW OSHA GUIDANCE - COVID-19
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its COVID-19 emergency temporary standard for the health care industry, with nonbinding guidance for other employers. According to OSHA, the standard aims to "protect health care and health care support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19 in settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present." Covered health care employers must develop and implement a COVID-19 plan t
June 4, 2021
EASING OF COVID WORKPLACE RESTRICTIONS
We have received numerous inquiries about the effect of Governor Northam’s May 14 Order which eases many Covid restrictions. There is much confusion about this issue. The Governor’s May 14 EO 79, which takes effect at midnight on May 28, focuses primarily on relaxing the mask requirements. In addition, however, the order, states:
June 2, 2021
Are Lynchburg Employers following CDC's "Vaccine or Mask" Guidance?
Hello Lynchburg SHRM!
It was a joy to see many of you at the "How a Lawsuit Works" webinar. Leah and I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you did too. We're looking forward to next time. I've been getting a lot of calls about mask policies so I thought I'd share some info with the group. Some of you may subscribe to Woods Rogers' eAlerts, which we keep current with big developments of interest to HR professionals. If not, you can sign up at our website.
Blog Categories:April 29, 2021
NEW COBRA RULES UNDER ARPA
Under the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), starting April 1, 2021 the federal government will pay 100 percent of COBRA insurance premiums for eligible employees who lost their jobs and for their covered relatives through September 2021, allowing them to stay on their company-sponsored health plan. Employers will obtain the subsidy through a payroll tax credit against employers' quarterly taxes and will be responsible for paying health insurance carriers for the premiums.
April 20, 2021
NEW VIRGINIA LEGISLATION - 2021
The 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly produced an additional flurry of employment-related laws. The following are some of the more significant laws for many employers:
April 6, 2021
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
Effective May 1, the minimum wage in Virginia increases to $9.50 per hour. Although the federal proposal to raise the national minimum wage to $15.00 did not survive the recent Congressional deliberations, last year’s Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation raising the minimum wage in Virginia gradually over several years to $15.00 per hour. The first step is the increase to $9.50 per hour as of May 1, with the second step to $11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2022.
March 17, 2021
NEW STIMULUS LAW
The new federal stimulus law known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has now been passed by Congress, and President Biden is expected to sign it tomorrow, March 12. The Act contains several provisions relating to employment which are worth noting.
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