Virginia Companies Required to Update Handbooks and Workplace Policies: Pregnancy Discrimination Updates and More
Effective October 29, 2020, Virginia employers must update their handbooks to reflect new state requirements regarding pregnancy discrimination, according to a recent law. The law adds posting requirements and is one of several state obligations recently introduced in Virginia. This client alert explains the new requirement and flags additional policy changes that employers need to take to avoid future liabilities. This year, Virginia joined a number of states that include clear prohibitions on discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related . . . Read More
DOD Extends Section 889 Waiver to September 30, 2022
In August, we wrote about a memorandum issued by Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe that waived the Department of Defense’s (DOD) requirements under Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The Federal Register published an interim rule on July 14, 2020, that implemented Section 889, which prohibits agencies from procuring telecommunications equipment and services from Huawei Technologies Company, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, Hytera Communications Company, Dahua Technology Company, and ZTE Corporation. The DOD originally released a memorandum on July . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Summarizes SBA’s Final Rule on Mentor-Protégé Programs
Today, SBA issued its final rule making changes to its rules on joint ventures, the mentor protégé program, the Section 8(a) program, and much more. In developing this final rule, SBA reviewed and considered the many comments it received, and PilieroMazza believes that the final rule makes many positive changes that will simplify its procedures for small businesses, particularly 8(a) program participants. Below we summarize major changes in the final rule. If you have questions concerning SBA’s final rule on its Mentor Protégé Programs, . . . Read More
WOSB Certification Required Beginning October 15 – Are You Ready?
As a reminder, beginning on October 15, 2020, all women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs) pursuing WOSB/EDWOSB set-asides, as well as solicitations with pools reserved for WOSBs/EDWOSBs, must be certified as a WOSB/EDWOSB, either by SBA or a third-party certifier. The application for certification by SBA is free and may be completed at beta.certify.sba.gov . Beginning October 15, if you have not completed the certification application, this will impact your ability to bid on WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside . . . Read More
DOL Publishes Guidance on Diversity Training Executive Order
On September 22, 2020, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 13950 (the Order) prohibiting workplace training that involves “sex stereotyping” or “scapegoating.” The Order is applicable to federal employees, the military, and private entities that receive grants or federal government contracts. While there is much we do not know about the implications of the Order, this client alert examines the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) limited guidance, issued yesterday, which sheds some light on the Order’s requirements and its implications . . . Read More
SBA Issues Guidance for PPP Lenders on Required Consents for Change in Ownership of PPP Borrowers
On Friday, October 2, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued guidance for lenders administering loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) regarding what involvement by the SBA (if any) is required when a PPP borrower undergoes a transaction resulting in a change in ownership. This guidance addresses several questions with which PPP borrowers and lenders have been struggling over the past several weeks and provides clarity around what the expectations are for when SBA consent is required and what . . . Read More
CCPA Regulations Approved: Companies Risk Penalties for Noncompliance
Effective immediately, the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved final regulations for the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) on August 14, 2020. The final text of the regulations is available here . The CCPA grants California consumers robust data privacy rights and control over their personal information. Companies that do business with California consumers now risk penalties for noncompliance. Further, on August 30, 2020, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 1281 , extending the CCPA’s employee exemption and the CCPA’s business-to-business exemption by . . . Read More
OFCCP Audits Are Coming: 6 Tips to Help You Prepare
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) just released its FY 2020 lists of Supply & Service and Construction contractors the agency expects to audit (see FY 2020 CSAL Supply & Service and FY 2020 CSAL Construction ). With enforcement a primary goal of OFCCP, preparing for an audit is key. If your company is on the list, PilieroMazza’s Labor & Employment team suggests you follow these 6 tips to properly prepare for an OFCCP audit to avoid potential penalties and possible loss of your government contract. Also, join . . . Read More
Court Vacates Key Parts of DOL “Joint Employer” Rule Months After Implementing
On September 8, 2020, the Southern District of New York struck down a recent Department of Labor (DOL) final rule that changed the standard of joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The court determined that the rule conflicted with the FLSA and that the DOL did not properly justify the new change in policy. This decision will expose more companies to potential liability under the FLSA and increase the number of businesses that qualify as joint employers, such as those who . . . Read More
New Minimum Wage Requirements for Government Contractors May Impact Price Adjustments
Effective January 1, 2021, the Executive Order (the Order) minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered government contracts will increase to $10.95 per hour, while the required minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $7.65 per hour. Each year, the Department of Labor (DOL) assesses the established minimum wage and, using determined methodology, announces an . . . Read More