Hawaii Employers Council continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and provide employers with resources to assist with their response to the novel issues raised.  These resources are listed on HEC’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.  Here are some new developments.

• CARES Act: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law on March 27.  This $2 trillion legislation is aimed at providing relief for individuals and businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to extended unemployment benefits, payroll tax deferral, relief for small businesses, and loans for larger corporations.
  • Register here for HEC’s free webinar – The CARES Act: What Employers Need to Know on Wednesday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Senator Brian Schatz has released some CARES Act information on his website.
• Small Business Loans: Hawaii small businesses suffering financial losses due to the impact of COVID-19 can now file for low-interest working capital loans of up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).  The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, and other bills that cannot be paid because of a disaster’s impact.  Learn more.
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”): The U.S. Department of Labor published additional guidance including:
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
  • Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (FFCRA Poster)
  • Field Assistance Bulletin 2020-1: Temporary Non-Enforcement Period Applicable to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (WHD will not enforce FFCRA until April 18, 2020, provided the employer has made good faith efforts to comply)

• EEOC Webinar: On March 27, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) posted a webinar addressing questions arising under any of the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• NLRB Representation Case Procedures Rule: On March 24, the National Labor Relations Board announced that it is postponing the effective date of its final rule modifying the Agency’s Representation Case Procedures from April 16, 2020 to May 31, 2020.
• Drug and Alcohol Policies: On March 23, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance issued guidance to provide clarity with respect to existing requirements for DOT-mandated drug and alcohol testing during the COVID-19 crisis.
• E-Verify: E-Verify has modified its policies temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic to ease the burden on employers and employees.

 HEC members who have questions about their COVID-19 response plans may call us at (808) 836-1511 (Oahu) or 1-800-392-3589 (Neighbor Island).