PA Department of Labor and Industry on Safety Committee Meetings During COVID-19

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

Want to know what the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has to say about Safety Committee meetings during these uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic?   Watch Laurie Deitrich, CSP, ARM, HEM, Risk Control Specialist, provide answers to: Can our Safety Committee miss monthly meetings during the COVID-19 crisis? What happens if all committee members do not receive their annual training? Will there be any extensions to the certification deadline to get our initial or renewal application submitted? More information is available here: RC Safety Committee Training Contact Laurie at 717.572.5684 or email her.

CARES Act – Small Business Loan Overview

Denise GillinNews

In response to the American economy reeling from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the federal government recently signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Among other provisions, the CARES Act provides businesses suffering under the debilitating effects of the pandemic with unprecedented access to emergency loans. Read more about CARES Act here. The CARES Act creates an employee retention tax credit, which is designed to encourage eligible employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. Highlights include: Employers whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for an employee retention tax credit. The amount of the credit is 50% of qualifying wages paid, up to $10,000 …

Health Plans Must Provide Free COVID-19 Testing – Legal Update

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, News

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover COVID-19 testing without imposing any cost sharing. Key Points: Employer-sponsored group health plans must cover COVID-19 testing, without imposing a deductible, copayment or other cost sharing. This mandate applies to fully insured group health plans and self-insured group health plans. Plans and issuers must pay the provider-negotiated rate for testing (or the provider’s cash price if there is no negotiated rate). Click to read the Legal Update: Health Plans Must Provide Free Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing 03.31.20 Contact your Murray Health Benefits representative at 717.397.9600 with any questions.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act – HR Compliance

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, Human Resources, News

We’ve all heard about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), but what does it entail? Highlights are below, but more information is available by clicking the links below. Highlights: Coronavirus relief legislation requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide 12 weeks of FMLA leave for child care reasons related to COVID-19. The new FMLA leave must be compensated after the first 10 days, at two-thirds of an employee’s wage, up to $200 per day. Employers must also provide 80 hours of paid sick time for specified reasons related to COVID-19. New Coronavirus Relief Law Requires Paid Employee Leave 3.27.20 More information can be found on the Department of Labor (DOL) FAQs page. Click here for the Department …

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance and Forms

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, Human Resources, News

The Department of Labor (DOL) continues to update the questions and answers page regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. New items of interest include: More detailed guidance on qualifications for small business exemption to FFCRA leave requirements Further details on definition of “individual” and “child” for purposes of employee taking emergency paid sick leave to care for another person If you haven’t posted the FFCRA notice, find it here. The PDF can be distributed by email or mail to employees who are working remotely. Questions can be addressed to your Murray Health Benefits representative or call us at 717.397.9600.

Family First Coronavirus Response Act Updates

Denise GillinHuman Resources, News

By Hannah Lopez, MBA, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Consultant, Murray On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This Act provides two buckets of emergency leave – Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) – for workers in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. When details were first released regarding these two types of leave, there were many unanswered questions with very little guidance. Recently, the Department of Labor (DOL) has provided guidance on these frequently asked questions relating to this new law. To read the updates >>> If you have questions, contact Hannah at 717.205.5117 or email her.

Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist

Denise GillinNews

Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, through the Paycheck Protection Program, provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce prepared this handy guide and checklist. Access the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide and Checklist >>>

COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Update

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Lisa Yelovich, Master Claim Specialist . March 25, 2020 As we are all aware, the novel coronavirus or “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated as COVID-19), is upon us, and employers and employees alike are seeking direction as to how to navigate this serious health risk. Many of you may have received information from your workers’ compensation medical provider panel physicians.  Those of you who work with WORKNET Occupational Medicine, for example, received their March 3, 2020 communication regarding their current position on COVID-19 testing. They suggest following the guidelines as based upon the recommendations of the CDC and World Health Organization, (listed below for your reference). We expect other medical providers and facilities are following the same recommendations – check …

NAVIGATING COVID-19: What’s Relevant

Denise GillinNews

As we navigate information surrounding COVID-19, most important is finding what’s relevant today. Your Murray team is here to provide you with information related to COVID-19 from our areas of expertise as well as to help you find information best delivered by other credible sources. We will continue to post relevant information on this blog.  Our current clients can log into Succeed and the Risk Control Toolbox for more information and, of course, we encourage you to call or e-mail your Murray consultant with your specific questions. For more information, check out these resources: For Travel Risk https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html For Employee Protection OSHA – https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/novel_coronavirus/index.html For General Virus Information and Protection CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public American …