BW News

Iowa Workforce Development Changes Policy on Unemployment Benefits and PTO

Iowa Workforce Development announced today that effective immediately, employees who are or will be laid off, or are unable to work for COVID-19-related reasons, will not be required to use all available paid leave before becoming eligible to receive Iowa unemployment benefits. This change is not retroactive and claims will not be backdated. This... Read More

Protecting Trade Secrets During a Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers have been forced to require employees to work remotely. Requiring large numbers of people to work from home helps limit the spread of the virus and enables business to continue. However, employees working remotely can pose challenges to a company’s valuable trade secrets. Trade secrets can be a... Read More

The CARES Act – How Could It Impact Your Tax Situation?

Late Friday, March 27, President Trump signed the third stimulus package (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (or CARES) Act) with an estimated cost of $2 trillion to help offset the effects of the COVID-19 virus. The Act contains many tax-related provisions for both businesses and individuals. Of most importance are the following,... Read More

New Grant for Targeted Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19 — Apply Now!

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is offering grants of up to $10,000 for eligible small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. Eligible businesses include Targeted Small Businesses (TSB)—businesses owned by women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans, and individuals with... Read More

CARES Act Provides Flexibility to Home Health Agencies and Hospice Providers

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While much focus has been given to the economic stimulus provisions of the CARES Act, the Act also provides certain flexibility to home health agencies and hospice providers. Permanent Expansion of Certifying Professionals. Under... Read More

Intermittent Leave and Non-Enforcement Period

More Answers Regarding Paid Leaves for Employees Intermittent Leave Allowed The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provided an update to its “Questions and Answers” document regarding intermittent paid leave found here: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers Under “normal” FMLA leaves,... Read More

No Work, No Paid Leave — Answers to Questions Plaguing Employers

Employers have — finally — gotten some guidance from the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on important questions affecting the serious decisions they are facing. There are still no regulations for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, but the WHD has been continually updating information it has provided in... Read More

Public Health Proclamation: Takeaways for Health Care Providers

Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation on March 26, 2020 imposing new requirements on hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, residential care facilities, hospice programs, and assisted living facilities, while also providing certain regulatory relief to these facilities. The proclamation is the latest in a series of efforts... Read More

COVID-19 Update: Polk County District Court Matters

On March 26, 2020, Chief Judge Huppert issued a new Administrative Order for the Polk County Courthouse Campus. Below is a brief summary of the Order’s provisions for Civil, Family Law, and Magistrate Court matters. The Order also contains provisions for Criminal and Juvenile matters. Civil Matters: All motions are deemed fully submitted on... Read More