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IRS: American Rescue Plan Update, Considerations When Implementing a Vaccine Mandate & 5 Tips to Help Employees Navigate Post-Pandemic Work, Life.

In this week’s highlights we’ll cover the latest guidance issued by the IRS on the American Rescue Plan, things to consider when implementing a vaccine mandate & 5 tips to help your employees navigate post-pandemic work, life.

IRS: American Rescue Plan Update

Heads up, Benefits pros. The IRS recently released new guidance on the Tax Credits for Paid Leave Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

While no longer required to provide ARPA benefits, private employers with fewer than 500 employees can choose to extend them through the end of September in order to receive a federal tax credit.

Emergency leave

A big proponent of American Rescue Plan Act is employees being able to take 80 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave and 12 weeks of paid Expanded Family and Medical Leave for COVID-19-related reasons.

The IRS clarified the qualifying reasons for both types of leave.

To view the entire article by HR Morning click here.

Considerations When Implementing a Vaccine Mandate

Companies like Disney, Walmart, and Google have made headlines recently for implementing vaccine mandates. Vaccine mandates actually existed well before the emergence of COVID-19. For instance, most universities have required vaccinations against viral diseases like mumps, rubella, and measles for decades.

Mandating a vaccine at the workplace can seem like a no-brainer: it helps keep all employees safe. It obviates the need for masks in the office. Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe, widely accessible, and free. In certain contexts, vaccine mandates might help attract new candidates in a tight labor market.

However, vaccine mandates have become a polarizing issue. Some take the view that vaccine mandates are an encroachment on personal liberty and freedom. For this, and other, reasons, implementing a vaccine at your workplace can be trickier than it might seem. 

To view the entire article by HR Exchange Network click here.

5 Tips to Help Employees Navigate Post-Pandemic Work, Life

Work-life balance has been sought after for decades, yet remains problematic for most Americans. The pandemic only exacerbated this issue, especially for working mothers and caregivers. As businesses reopen, many employees are re-evaluating their priorities around work and personal roles, and employers may find themselves grappling with a resignation boom. If better work-life balance is a top priority but also viewed as elusive, what will actually help workers thrive post-pandemic?

To view the entire article by HR Dive click here.

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