For H-1B nonimmigrant visas subject to the cap, April 1, 2019, is the first day on which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will accept H-1B cap-subject petitions for foreign national professionals in specialty occupations. Despite a proposed rule that would have made sweeping changes to the H-1B cap […]
Labor & Employment Law Update
EEO-1 Filing Deadline Extended
On February 1, 2019, the EEOC announced its extension of the EEO-1 filing deadline to May 31, 2019. The EEO-1 survey must be filed annually by private employers with 100 or more employees, and by federal contractors with 50 or more employees and a federal contract/subcontract in excess of $50,000. […]
Unintended Consequence of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Tightens Up 401(k) Hardship Distribution Rules; Budget Act Eases Restrictions
For retirement plans that authorize hardship distributions, plan sponsors should be cognizant of the impacts the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) and the Bipartisan Budget Act (the “Budget Act”) may have on plan administration related to such distributions. First, the TCJA may indirectly affect plan administration in light […]
Are Your Free or Discounted Flu Shots to Employees Compliant with the ACA?
As the inevitable cold and flu season approaches, many employers are looking for ways to provide free or discounted flu shots to their employees. What many employers do not consider is whether the offering of free or discounted flu shots (or similar benefits) is subject to the Affordable Care Act […]
Recent IRS Guidance Provides Options for Employers in Addressing Employee Student Loan Debt While Helping Employees Save for Retirement
On August 17, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a private letter ruling to address an employer’s ability to provide a student loan repayment benefit in its 401(k) plan. In the ruling, the IRS authorized an employer’s proposed amendment to its 401(k) plan which provided for employer student loan […]