April 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports that as of April 28, 2009, there are no reported cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Pennsylvania. However, the Center for Control reports 91 laboratory confirmed cases in the United States and tragically the first U.S. fatality.

Best practices for Human Resources should involve planning for business

Veteran Republican Senator Arlen Specter disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, a defection that will move Democrats closer to total control of the U.S. Senate. The switch may also revive EFCA in its original form despite Senator Specter’s withdraw of support for the pro-union legislation last month. Senator Specter faces a difficult primary in Pennsylvania

Senator

The applicability date of the final rule requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to begin using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify system has been pushed back by six weeks to June 30, 2009, with hint that it may be abandoned or revised. The USCIS website contains the following notice:

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council

In recognition of the importance and sacrifices associated with military service, many employers provide a supplemental payment for their employees called to active military service which covers the difference between their military pay and their regular compensation. Pay differentials are provided for varying lengths of time.

Revenue Ruling 2009-11 provides that a differential wage payment

There is no delay. April 3, 2009 is the effective date for use of the revised I-9 Form according to the USCIS. The following resources are available for compliance with the revised form and more limited scope of acceptable documents:

Revised I-9 Form (English)

Revised I-9 Form (Spanish)*

List of Documents Acceptable for Employment Verification

The United States Supreme Court upheld a provision in a collective-bargaining agreement that clearly and unmistakably requires union members to arbitrate ADEA claims is enforceable as a matter of federal law. Accordingly, there is no legal basis for the Court to strike down an arbitration clause in a collective bargaining agreement, which was freely negotiated by

On March 31, 2009, the IRS issued a notice relating to premium assistance for COBRA continuation coverage under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Notice 2009-27 contains many helpful clarifications on the following topics:

  • INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION
  • ASSISTANCE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL
  • CALCULATION OF PREMIUM REDUCTION
  • COVERAGE ELIGIBLE FOR PREMIUM REDUCTION
  • RECAPTURE OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE