In 2021 and beyond, technology can help improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace—especially for HR professionals. And with many organizations adopting remote work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing pressure for organizations and employees to adopt technology to collaborate, communicate and work from a distance. HR technology can automate a [...]
Recruiting has never been simple, and the COVID-19 pandemic is complicating matters even more. In this rapidly changing landscape, employers need to adapt if they want to attract and retain quality talent. To better prepare for this task, here are some recruiting practice trends employers should monitor in 2021. 1. Looking Inward for Talent Recruiting [...]
EEOC Issues FAQs on Mandatory Vaccinations for COVID-19 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently added nine new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) to its existing guidance on how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other fair employment laws while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during [...]
Encouraging Employees to Use Telehealth Services As COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country amid flu season, telehealth services offer access to quick, convenient and affordable care. In 2020, there was a significant increase nationally in telehealth utilization. Now, many providers and hospitals are encouraging patients to utilize telehealth services instead of coming to [...]
EEOC Launches Data Tool to Track Employment Trends The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently launched EEOC Explore, a new interactive data query and mapping tool that gives users access to the most current, granular and privacy protected aggregate data covering employment trends that is publicly available. Employer Information Report EEO-1 (EEO-1) data is [...]
On Dec. 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 into law. The Act includes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that provides funding for unemployment benefits, direct economic payments to individuals, vaccine distribution and rental assistance. It also includes the No Surprises Act, a ban on surprise medical bills, which takes effect [...]
Since 2020, employers have been able to offer individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) to help employees pay for individual health insurance. ICHRAs were established by a final rule published on June 20, 2019, which raised questions about how existing federal rules will apply to ICHRAs. On Jan. 13, 2021, the IRS issued a final rule to [...]
On Jan. 19, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended an existing transition policy for certain health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for an additional year, to policy years beginning on or before Oct. 1, 2022. However, all noncompliant plans renewed under this extended transition policy [...]
On Dec. 11, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and Treasury (Departments) announced a final rule that provides greater flexibility for grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A grandfathered plan is a group health plan or health insurance coverage that was in existence on March 23, 2010 (the [...]
On Jan. 28, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that is intended to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid. Exchange Special Enrollment Period This executive order directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider establishing a special enrollment period through Federally Facilitated Exchanges due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) [...]
