Yes, both state and federal governments are trying to issue new laws and regulations (sometimes daily events) that provide additional financial assistance to both employees and staffing firms.
Obviously, the issues and new laws are complex and sometimes confusing and conflicting. NJSA recommends that you and your firm’s staff initially categorize the state and federal programs (or portions of the laws) into one of the following two categories:
Based on the laws and programs determine if your firm qualifies and, if so, research these laws and programs. This way you don’t waste time on programs for which you are not eligible for. For instance, if your staffing firm’s total daily employment (including temporary staff) exceeds 500, the new FFCRA leave programs are not available to your employees.
The new federal laws are the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The state programs you need to stay current on are Unemployment Insurance (impacted by new federal laws), Earned Sick Leave, Temporary Disability Insurance, and Family Leave Insurance.
We recommend your firm maximize the value of your legal and financial advisors who are spending a huge amount of time understanding these new laws and programs for their clients as well as other vendors’ information. Take advantage of online briefings/seminars held by various entities, especially those affiliated with the staffing industry such as NJSA’s Industry Partners. If your firm has financial and/or human resource professionals on staff, they can be delegated this responsibility.
For now, NJSA is forwarding you two resources that may be of value to you:
NJSA will continue to distribute relevant information to its membership as it is received.
