News

Employers May Apply a Reasonable, Good Faith Interpretation of the Term ‘Seasonal Worker’ Employers looking to hire seasonal workers this summer are reminded that there is an exception when measuring workforce size to determine whether they are an applicable large employer (ALE) subject to the Affordable Care Act’s employer shared responsibility (“pay or play”) provisions. […]

Materials Answer Key Questions The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released training materials to aid covered entities in complying with the requirements of section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in any health program or […]

Temporary Suspension Begins April 3 Starting April 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions for a period which may last up to 6 months. While H-1B premium processing is suspended, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for […]

The first Out Front Ideas with Kimberly and Mark webinar of 2017 provided our thoughts on the 20 Workers’ Compensation Issues to Watch in 2017. In early January we discussed what we consider as the first 10 issues that workers’ comp professionals need to be aware of in the coming year. What follows is a […]

Values Apply to Vehicles First Made Available to Employees for Personal Use in Calendar Year 2017 The IRS has released the maximum vehicle values for 2017 that taxpayers need to determine the value of personal use of employer-provided vehicles under the special valuation rules provided under IRS regulations. 2017 Maximum Vehicle Values The maximum value […]

Until Further Action, Rule to Become Applicable on April 10, 2017 The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule seeking to delay the applicability date of the Fiduciary Rule, which is set to become applicable on April 10, 2017. Background On April 8, 2016, the DOL released a final rule (“Fiduciary Rule”) […]

Retaliation Prohibited Under FLSA, OSH Act, and Federal Nondiscrimination Laws The U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL) and Justice, along with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), have released a fact sheet clarifying that retaliation against workers who assert their workplace rights is unlawful, regardless of the workers’ immigration status. Important details of the fact […]

Enforcement of Notice Penalty Also Delayed The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the period for an employer to furnish an initial written notice to its eligible employees regarding a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA) and has delayed associated penalties until further guidance is issued. Background The 21st Century Cures Act requires employers […]

Policies Renewed Under Extended Transitional Policy Must End by December 31, 2018 A previously extended transitional policy which allows health insurance issuers, at their option, to continue group coverage that would otherwise be terminated or cancelled has been extended further—to policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2018, provided that all policies end by […]

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce held its fourth annual “Santa Colorita Run,” a festival of community, color, fitness, fun and families. These types of runs take place all over the world, and have become a celebration of health, happiness, individuality, and a spirit giving back to one’s community.  Our very own Marketing Director, […]