Creenan & Baczkowski, PC Law Blog

The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) applies to employees who are unable to work (or telework) due to one of the following six circumstances: 1. The employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID–19 2. The employee has been advised...

Covered employers qualify for dollar-for-dollar reimbursement through tax credits for all qualifying wages paid under the FFCRA. Qualifying wages are those paid to an employee who takes leave under the Act for a qualifying reason, up to the appropriate per diem and aggregate payment caps...

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed. The Act has two important new laws for employees, intended to provide relief as most people's lives have been impacted in some way by COVID-19: (1) the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act; and (2...

The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“ELMLEA”) broadens the scope of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (“FMLA”), making it applicable to employers with fewer than 500 employees, including law firms, without the exclusions found in FMLA for companies with fewer than 50 emp...

Industry Sector Subsector Industry Group May Continue Physical Operations Notes Natural Resources and Mining Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting Crop Production Oilseed and Grain Farming Yes ...

The Life-Sustaining Business List has been updated twice in the last 3 days.  Here's quick list of changes: Accounting and payroll – now permitted Construction – emergency repairs permitted Insurance carrier and agencies are now permitted – but no in person sales. ...

Governor Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. March 19, to slow the spread of COVID-19. The ORDER is here. The MARCH 21 LIST is here. Many businesses are concerned about enforcement.  The PA DCED includes the followin...

Click here for the Governor's Edict shutting down your business Thursday March 19, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Shuts Down Businesses The full text of the Order is here: ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF ALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT LIFE SUSTA...

The categorical list of businesses closed by the Governor's Edict: https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200319-Life-Sustaining-Business.pdf A filtered list of closed businesses: Page 2:

03/18/20 This article has been updated to reflect the U.S. Treasury announcement on 3/20. Readers should verify that no further changes have been made to the filing and payment deadlines. The 2020 tax season is underway, but millions of Americans have yet to start preparing their tax returns. E...

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry announced relaxed eligibility due to COVID-19. Mainly, the waiting week is waived and the work search requirement is also waived. See HERE for the changes.

The federal government's website lists actions taken by various agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, Pennsylvania areas are not included in SBA's disaster loan program.

Allegheny County has Requested Certain Non-Essential Businesses Close Temporarily The request is to close places for the next 14 days to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Click here for the link. For convenience, the full text is here: Allegheny County Calls Upon Non-Essential Busin...

Our existing clients know we take great pride in our client service.  Due to public health concerns surrounding the coronavirus, we have adjusted our service model for the next few weeks. In order to protect our team and to otherwise slow or limit the impact of the coronavirus, we are taking the ...

In order to avoid confusion in our communities, we are sharing the PA Department of Economic and Community Development's request for "non-essential businesses" to close temporarily in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Click here for the link. March 14, 2020 Dear business owner: T...

For some industry insight on things that can create a gap in your policy coverage.  We suggest reviewing your policy with your broker/agent at least annually to ensure your questions are answered. Click here for: IRMI - 101 Common Commercial Lines Coverage Gaps To Avoid

To reduce the impact of COVID-19 outbreak conditions on businesses, workers, customers, and the public, it is important for all employers to plan now for COVID-19. For employers who have already planned for influenza pandemics, planning for COVID-19 may involve updating plans to address the spe...

The "pandemic" classification of the COVID-19 / Coronavirus has caused many questions and concerns among the business community.   Here are some non-medical things you should should know: WHOSE GUIDANCE DO I FOLLOW? We do not recommend following what you heard on the news channel.  Instead ----...

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act). The SECURE Act, which is effective January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. The SECURE Act has several positive c...

On December 17, 2019, Congress passed the long awaited SECURE ACT (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019).    Link to SECURE Act Some of the key points: The required beginning date to take RMDs is increased to 72 Allowing retirement plans to be effective for curr...

What Records Do Small Businesses Need to Keep for Taxes? Tax season is just around the corner, so now is a great time to make sure that you are retaining all the documentation you need to back up the income, deductions, and credits listed on your small business's tax return. Keeping the proper re...

Attention Small Business Owners: New Overtime Rule Issued by the Department of Labor At the end of September, the Department of Labor issued a new overtime pay rule that will take effect on January 1, 2020. According to the Department of Labor, the new rule will make 1.3 million American workers ...

Dealing with Negative Online Reviews of Your Business You've worked hard to build your small business. Nothing is more frustrating than negative online reviews, particularly if you feel they are unjustified or have been posted in bad faith. There are several steps that you can take to prevent you...

The construction litigation team at Creenan & Baczkowski, PC recently obtained court approval of a successful negotiated settlement against the contractor.  The multi-million dollar settlement resulted from C&B persistence in demonstrating the ongoing nature and scope of the structural damages.  ...

 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's newly updated business resources page- Pa Business One Stop Shop - has many resources for new and existing businesses. The free resources includes:  Free Business Plan Template Workshop and one-on-one business counseling Link to PA funded business progr...