Attorneys at Law
Governor Mills’ recent announcement lifting some stay-at-home restrictions has prompted businesses to reopen their doors to both customers and employees. Of course, with workplaces reopening comes a whole slew of new challenges for employers. You didn’t think it would get easier, did you? In the coming weeks, Skelton Taintor & Abbott will be hosting aRead More
On April 17, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with regard to requests for reasonable accommodations, including temporary accommodations, the interactive process, and how an employer can establish an undue hardship defense in the age of COVID-19. The new FAQs also begin to address what, if anything, employersRead More
As we begin to settle-in to the realization that social distancing, telecommuting, and face-masks are now part of our collective ‘new normal,’ it’s important to fully understand how your company is handling or plans to handle important employee records and documentation during this period of uncertainty. Here are some questions to start tackling: What ShouldRead More
There has been an explosion in the numbers of Americans rushing to make their will online. Understandably, the coronavirus pandemic has created the scramble to set up wills and end-of-life-directives. However, online do-it-yourself wills are sometimes invalid as they do not comply with all of the legal requirements here in Maine. The prevalence of willRead More
Over the weekend, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) issued its newest round of guidance on Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits now available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The guidance letters are great resources, but here are the basics: Federal Pandemic Unemployment CompensationRead More
Selecting the wrong trademark for your business can be a big and costly mistake. For example, last January, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the federal court of appeals decision that struck down a longstanding federal statute prohibiting registration of any trademark consisting of, or comprising immoral or scandalous matter. At issue was a mark thatRead More
Even with much of the economy shutting down as a result of Coronavirus-related safety measures, construction, in large part, continues. Continuing work on projects may be essential to a construction company’s survival. It also raises a number of concerns under present circumstances, including concerns over getting paid, concerns over delays in performing work, and concernsRead More
On April 1st, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new rule that regulates the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) and the paid leave under this new law that became available to employees starting on April 1st. This new rule clarified what records employers can request from employees asking forRead More
Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce published an updated Coronavirus Emergency Loan Guide for small businesses and sole proprietors. This is crucial because small businesses (less than 500 employees) can begin applying for payroll loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Paycheck Protection Program starting April 3rd. Independent contractors and otherRead More
The FFCRA goes into effect on April 1, 2020, and the Department of Labor (DOL) just issued a FFCRA poster (access it HERE) that employers are required to post in a conspicuous location. This means that employers should probably e-mail out the PDF poster to ensure compliance with the law’s notice requirements. Time forRead More
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