‘Tis the season to be jolly, but also the season to be vigilant. Although this time of year is great for fostering camaraderie, it can also present challenges for HR. The office holiday party, in particular, can be a potential minefield of HR issues. View our previous blog posts by Janet McEnery and Glenn Rissman … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela for eighteen months. TPS for Venezuela is currently set to expire on March 10, 2024. Based on an advanced copy of the Federal Register Notice, the re-designation will extend TPS for Venezuela … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. On Monday, we posted a blog on SB 1718, which requires private employers of twenty-five or more employees in Florida to use the E-Verify system for new hires, effective July 1, 2023. Governor DeSantis signed SB 1718 into law early on Wednesday. Although several groups have announced the intent … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. Last week, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1718, which, among other things, requires private employers of twenty-five or more employees to start using E-Verify for any employee hired on or after July 1, 2023. Governor DeSantis has not yet received SB 1718 from the Legislature. He must sign or … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. If you attended our webinar “Fakes, Frauds and Factual Documents – Do You Really Know How to Fill Out an I-9 Form?” on March 21 or read my colleague, Marco Paredes’ Rotunda Report, then you may recall that the Florida Legislature is considering bills that would amend Section 448.095 … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that lawful permanent residents who file a Form I-90 to obtain a new permanent resident card, aka green card, will have their green cards extended automatically for twenty-four months while USCIS processes the Form I-90 application. What does this mean? … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. Is it June already? I wish that only meant that it is mango season in Florida, but unfortunately, it means the start of another hurricane season. Last year, we were lucky enough to have Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross’s forecast for the 2021. If you want to see whether Bryan … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. On May 4, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will increase the automatic extension of work authorization from 180 to 540 days for certain applicants for an employment authorization document (EAD). The existing requirements of the rule will remain the same. To qualify for the now 540 day automatic extension … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. Each fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, there are 65,000 H-1B visas available plus an additional 20,000 H-1B visas for individuals who hold an advanced degree from a U.S. university. The H-1B visa is for aliens in “specialty occupations.” A specialty occupation is defined as an … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) allows an employer to pay a “tipped” employee less than the minimum wage, provided the tips the employee receives at least make up for the difference between what the employer pays and the statutory minimum wage. The FLSA allows employer to take a … Continue Reading
With Hurricane Elsa heading towards Florida, people are beginning to stock up on water, batteries, gas, and canned food. While it important to be prepared and plan ahead for your home and family, as an HR professional, it is equally as important to make sure your business is safeguarded and appropriate procedures are in place. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Vaccine passports seem to be the hot button issue of the day. Most of the media coverage and remarks from politicians have focused on businesses requiring customers, guests or students having proof of vaccination before returning to school or entering the business establishment. But what about employers? Can an … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On January 1, Section 448.095 of the Florida Statutes took effect. Much of the attention on the new statute has focused on the requirement that public employers and contractors and subcontractors enroll in and use the federal government’s E-Verify system. However, the statute also imposes an obligation on private … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On December 9, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) again extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for beneficiaries from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal. DHS also extended the work authorization of qualifying individuals through October 4, 2021.… Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí I’m sure you’ve been reading enough about COVID or how a Biden administration might swing the workplace pendulum back towards employees and unions (I think it’s a good bet), so let’s focus on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for now. Can you imagine a time when employees will … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Businesses often ask customers to sign a waiver before renting a Sea-Doo, zip-lining, tubing, or perhaps even so your child can bounce on a trampoline or in a bounce house. But can a business use a waiver to avoid liability if a customer contracts COVID-19 after visiting the business? … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí While we are all busy thinking about ways to safeguard ourselves, our families, and our businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, let us not forget that hurricane season is just around the corner. It runs from June 1 through November 30. Unfortunately, NOAA has predicted a busy 2020 Atlantic hurricane … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Where did the 8 hour, 5 day work week come from? Ford Motor Company in 1914, but it was a long time coming. Before that, factories were open around-the-clock with employees working long days and 100 hour weeks. In the late 1880s, a labor movement started using a slogan … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí While some of you may be looking forward to brackets, watch parties, and cheering on your favorite college basketball team, employers should also be thinking about a different type of March Madness – preparing for the H-1B Visa New Registration Process! The USCIS recently announced the implementation of a … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On January 31, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new Form I-9, designated as the 10/21/2019 version. The only changes are the additions of Eswatini and Macedonia, North to the list of countries in the drop down fields on the fillable version of the Form and … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí You survived Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. Will you “survive” the office holiday party and the HR land mines it presents? Please don’t let anyone show up to the party dressed like this guy. What’s a party without alcohol, and what’s a law blog without a curmudgeon preaching … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As a result of court orders prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from terminating Temporary Protected Status, DHS is again extending the program for certain countries. TPS Country Current Expiration Date New Expiration Date El Salvador 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Haiti 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Nicaragua 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Sudan 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Honduras … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On October 25, Elitsa posted on the increase in Florida’s minimum wage to $8.56 an hour, effective January 1. Because of that increase, Florida employers who take a tip credit must pay tipped employees a direct wage of at least $5.54 per hour. The U.S. Department of Labor has … Continue Reading
With Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall this weekend, Floridians are stocking up on water, batteries, gas, and canned food. It’s important to be prepared and plan ahead for your home and family. Please see our suggestions below on important action items to take to prepare for and recover after a storm.… Continue Reading
