The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: Congress Approves the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Did you know . . .  On March 10, Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (signed into law by President Biden on March 11). The Act contains several items of interest for employers, including: An extension of the tax credits for voluntarily providing paid sick and family leave under the Families First…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: Fargo Mask Mandate and Employer Immunity from COVID-19 Related Civil Liability

Did you know . . .  On February 17, the City of Fargo extended its mask mandate through at least March 22.  For employers located in Fargo, this mandate means that face coverings are still required in all indoor workplaces, unless an individual is exempt, such as for a medical condition or disability that prevents…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: Enacting Mandatory COVID Vaccine Policies

Did you know . . . The North Dakota legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit most employers from enacting mandatory Covid vaccine policies? House Bill 1301 would prohibit non-healthcare employers from mandating immunization for any communicable disease – including Covid-19 – as a condition of obtaining or maintaining employment.  The bill, if passed,…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: Mask Mandate Update

Did you know . . . Although the North Dakota statewide mask mandate expired on January 18, 2021, the City of Fargo extended its mask mandate until at least February 18, 2021.  Both the North Dakota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) further continue to strongly recommend and encourage the consistent and…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: Independent Contractor or Employee?

Did you know….Determining who is an “independent contractor” versus “employee” will be a hot topic item in 2021. The U.S. Department of Labor announced a new rule on January 6 that will likely be reexamined by the incoming administration before implementation. Re-examination may make it more difficult to claim independent contractor status. Stay tuned for…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog – My Employee Stormed the Capitol: Can I fire him for that?

As the nation processes the full impact of the breach of the U.S. Capitol building by protestors last week, the FBI is warning of potential armed protests in all 50 states over the next week.  Many of the participants in last week’s rioting in Washington, D.C. have been identified from video and photos, often posted…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: What Now? Stepping Away from the Edge

Einstein once said, “Failure and deprivation are the best educators and purifiers.”  As we close the book on 2020 and look forward to finally . . . finally . . . making it to 2021, the moment seems right to pause.  Although Covid is far from over and social unrest over the election has shaken…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: North Dakota Legislature Convenes

Did you know . . . The North Dakota Legislature convened for its 67th Legislative Assembly this week on January 5, 2021.  The state legislature only convenes every other year, and the session is limited to 80 legislative days.  Each assembly, the Legislature considers bills affecting employers, large and small, within North Dakota.  Stay tuned…
Read More

The North Dakota Employer’s Blog: FFCRA Set to Expire December 31, 2020

Did you know . . . The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which requires emergency paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave for employees’ COVID-related absences, is set to expire on December 31, 2020.  This means that covered employers will no longer be mandated to provide FFCRA leave to employees as of the start…
Read More

To require vaccinations or not? That is the question.

As a trying 2020 comes to an end, we see a glimmer of hope in the beginning of the new year with the release and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.  With the vaccine likely becoming widely available in the coming months, many employers are wondering:  Can I require that my employees get a COVID-19 vaccination? …
Read More