William D King on What Does the CARES Act Mean for Employers

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William D King on What Does the CARES Act Mean for Employers

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Nasir Hanif

Individuals who really are unemployed because of several circumstances related to COVID-19 have extended entitlements to unemployment payments under the CARES Act. The CARES Act, in particular, establishes a specific unemployment compensation scheme for contract workers, contract employees, and self-employed people, as well as those with job histories that might not normally qualify.

Here’s how CARES Act helps employers as per William D King

The Act also allows for longer than three months of supplemental unemployment insurance benefits of $600 per week, in addition to how an individual is eligible under state law. Furthermore, through December 31, 2020, the CARES Act extends an individual’s eligibility for unemployment payments for an additional 13 weeks. Individuals, on the other hand, cannot obtain unemployment benefits and paid sick leave from their employer at the same time.

Settlement for Job Loss Generally

States and municipalities are all relying on state unemployment bureaus that can provide help to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, recognizing the evident economic impact. The majority of states, as well as the federal government, have undertaken efforts to make sure that affected persons receive unemployment benefits quickly and efficiently, even if they would not have been insured otherwise. The majority of states have enacted emergency unemployment assistance legislation. The guidelines are designed to simplify the benefits procedure, get money into the hands of impacted individuals faster, remove the requirements that perhaps the individual actively seek work, and to provide compensation to workers whose hours have been decreased.

William D King says that since certain states have established employer duties, employers must examine the rules inside the states where they will be terminating, laying off employees, or cutting employee hours. In Georgia, for instance, the employer is responsible for filing some claims on behalf of its impacted employees. If the company fails to do so, the Georgia Labor department may order it to refund the employee for the entire amount of unemployment payments received.

The measure establishes a $500 billion direct loan program for American companies. This program covers basic business emergency loans as well as many customized assistance packages for crucial industries such as the airline industry. Businesses that take the loans must agree to temporary restrictions on executive compensation and stock repurchases.

The Act empowers the Treasury Secretary to establish a specific loan program for mid-size enterprises (those with 500 to 10,000 employees) as part of the wider scheme. For the first six months, the beneficiary of a loan under this program will not be charged any interest and will not be required to make any principal payments. Nevertheless, the recipient must guarantee that it will comply with certain requirements. It must, for example, guarantee that the loan will be used to keep at least 90% of its staff at full pay and perks until September 30, 2020.

It must also declare that by February 1, 2020, it plans to reinstate at least 90% of its staff, with full pay and benefits. Other requirements include not outsourcing employment during the duration of the loan, not terminating any contract agreement, and remaining “neutral” in any union organizing efforts.