A Different Approach

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it will soon issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that mandates health care sector employers take certain actions to protect their employees and patients.

On May 21, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted preliminary approval of a $13 million class-action settlement agreement (the Settlement) between the Trustees of Columbia University’s Voluntary Retirement Savings Program (Columbia Plan or Plan) and affected plan participants. The Columbia Plan is a 403(b) plan, a type of qualified retirement plan similar to a 401(k) but sponsored by tax-exempt and government entities.

In recent weeks, both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised or issued new guidance related to COVID-19. The revisions are intended to encourage vaccination by removing potential liability for adverse outcomes from vaccination from businesses while retaining reporting requirements for work-related COVID-19 infections.

On May 11, 2021, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that event and gathering maximum occupancy limits will be increased to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings effective Monday, May 17, 2021.

On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), for the first time ever, released cybersecurity guidance for retirement plan sponsors, service providers, and participants. With approximately $9.3 trillion in retirement plan assets nationwide, it is important that retirement plan sponsors, trustees, and any other service providers with discretion or control over retirement plan assets (collectively, “fiduciaries”) review the DOL guidance and ensure that there are policies and controls in place to protect retirement plan assets from cyberattacks.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it will begin taking applications for its COVID-19 funeral assistance on April 12, 2021. All applications must be made by phone by calling 844-684-6333. The application call center will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST). Applicants will then submit supporting documentation online, by mail, or by fax.