Landmark SCOTUS Decision Holds Title VII Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers who discriminate against gay and transgender workers violate Title VII. The Court’s 6-3 decision resolves a longstanding circuit split on this issue and extends Title VII protections to LGBTQ+ employees across the country. Justice Gorsuch drafted the majority opinion for the Court, and was joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Ginsberg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan. For employers, we examine the ruling below and offer key takeaways. In its long-awaited and hotly-debated decision, the . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – June 12, 2020
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . PilieroMazza will host a series of webinars on “The Post-Coronavirus Workplace,” which will cover topics of interest for our clients who are navigating “the new normal.” Please visit this web page for updates and this link to subscribe and receive PilieroMazza webinar invitations. To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “ COVID-19 Client Resource Center .” Please contact [email protected] for immediate assistance. SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS & ADVISORY SERVICES . . . Read More
BLOG: 5 Steps for Preserving and Preparing Your Miller Act Claim
As the United States economy continues to grapple with the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many contractors are concerned about making and receiving payment for work. The Miller Act provides the process for subcontractors to ensure they are paid for their work on federal construction projects, but they must be familiar with its requirements and deadlines to seek payment. This guide outlines five steps subcontractors and material suppliers should take to ensure they preserve their right to recover payment . . . Read More
Return to Work Plan: Not Business As Usual
Presented by Nichole Atallah and Sarah Nash of PilieroMazza PLLC and Stephanie Alexander and Mary Holmes of BOOST LLC . Click here to view the recorded session. Now that states are beginning to reopen and we start going back into the workplace, there are important questions employers need answers to in order to protect themselves from liability. In this webinar, we focus on preparing employers to make these important decisions. Learning Objectives: Understand legal requirements employers need to consider. Consider policies and procedures employers need to implement before their employees . . . Read More
Treasury and SBA to Make Changes Regarding Enactment of PPP Flexibility Act
On May 28, 2020, we wrote about the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the Act), a new piece of legislation introduced in the House of Representatives. The Act’s intended purpose was to give employers more latitude regarding the use of their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans while also increasing loan forgiveness in order to stimulate the economy. Since then, the Senate has passed the Act and President Trump signed it into law . On June 8, 2020, U.S. Department of the Treasury . . . Read More
Past Performance: How to Use Yours, Benefit from Others’, and Defend It from Attacks
Presented by Sam Finnerty . Click here to view the recorded session. A government agency’s evaluation of an offeror’s past performance can often be the difference between winning or losing a government contract. And, for better or worse, agencies are given broad discretion in how they evaluate past performance. As such, it is critical that companies working with the federal government understand not only what steps they should take to cultivate and utilize positive past performance, but also the steps they should take to . . . Read More
Congress Approves Significant Changes to SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program
As we reported in our previous alert , the bipartisan bill the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 , was passed on May 28, 2020 by the House of Representatives. Last night, the Senate passed the bill, which now heads to President Trump for his signature. If signed into law by the President, the bill will make significant changes to SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, including: Extend the “covered period” under which small businesses can spend the loan proceeds from eight weeks to 24 weeks or until December . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – May 29, 2020
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . COVID-19 Client Resource Center: To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “ COVID-19 Client Resource Center .” Please contact [email protected] for immediate assistance. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW Creating a New Normal: 5 Steps for Employers Preparing a Returning Workforce in a COVID-19 Environment, May 21, 2020, Sara Nasseri As government authorities slowly begin the reopening process, employers are now preparing to reopen facilities and return employees to their worksites. Undoubtedly, with . . . Read More
The Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application: Cracking the Code and Deciphering the Confusion
As noted in our previous alert , SBA recently released its long-awaited PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. Unfortunately, the Forgiveness Application is difficult to understand and complete. To help crack the code, we have put together the following analysis with our review of the application, SBA’s newly released guidance as to the loan terms, and key issues in the application, as well as input from our accounting partners. 1. Necessary Documents Before you fill out your Forgiveness Application, you will need to have . . . Read More
House Passes Legislation Modifying Existing PPP Regulations
On May 28, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (the Act), new legislation meant to provide additional assistance to small businesses and loosen regulations related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Should this bill become law, it would make major adjustments to the PPP. The Act makes a few notable changes to PPP’s current loan forgiveness guidelines by: extending the period for which a PPP Loan may be obtained to December 31, 2020; increasing the length of time . . . Read More