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New Form W-4 Does Not Apply to All State Tax Withholding – Are You Using the Right Forms?

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January 1, 2020

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In December 2019, the IRS issued a new Form W-4 to reflect the elimination of withholding allowances because individuals can no longer claim personal or dependency exemptions. While this was intended to allow for more accurate federal tax withholding calculations, it raises the question of what employers should do with respect to state tax withholding requirements.

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New Hampshire: Medical Marijuana May Be a Reimbursable Workers’ Compensation Expense

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March 7, 2019

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The New Hampshire Supreme Court recently stated that a workers’ compensation carrier could not deny an employee’s request for reimbursement of medical marijuana to treat a work-related injury.  In the Appeal of Andrew Panaggio, an employee suffered a lower back injury that resulted in permanent impairment and ongoing pain.  He was prescribed opioids to treat the pain, but due to negative side effects, he was later issued a cannabis registration card authorizing medical marijuana use.  However, the workers’ compensation carrier denied payment of the medical marijuana, alleging that it was not “reasonable/necessary or causally related” to the work injury.

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July Updates

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This Short List addresses the following topics:
  1. California: Janitorial Employers Must Register with Labor Commissioner
  2. New Hampshire Adds Gender Identity as a Protected Category
  3. North Carolina Increases Hiring Opportunities for Individuals with a Criminal History
  4. Texas: 5th Circuit Requires Employer Signature on Mutual Arbitration Agreements
  5. Vermont Issues New Guidance on Marijuana in the Workplace
  6. Washington, D.C. Approves Increased Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers
  7. Washington Governor Fights SCOTUS Arbitration Class Action Waiver Ruling

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New Hampshire: Franchisors are the Not Employers of its Franchisees/Franchisees’ Employees

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July 18, 2017

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In late July, New Hampshire Governor Jon Sununu signed Senate Bill 89, which clarifies how joint employer status is determined in reference to a franchisor/franchisee relationship.  The method of determining joint-employment status has experienced some back-and-forth since the 2015 Browning-Ferris decision – the U.S. Department of Labor initially implemented broad guidance on interpreting joint employment status, then withdrew the guidance. New Hampshire is the ninth state this year to enact a statute reducing the likelihood a franchisor may be deemed a joint employer.

Although Browning-Ferris involved a staffing agency, many business groups were concerned that the joint-employer standard of a party having “control” over the working conditions of the employee could impact franchisors.  New Hampshire’s Senate Bill 89 addresses this issue by stating that “a franchisor is only an employer if the franchisor agrees in writing to assume the role of employer or co-employer of the franchisee or the employee of the franchisee.”

 

Action Items

  1. Review the text of SB 89 here.
  2. Have franchise contracts reviewed by legal counsel for potential exposure.
  3. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2017 ManagEase, Incorporated.

First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Approves Fluctuating Workweek Overtime Calculation Method Using Performance-Based Commissions

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February 12, 2016

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently ruled on a Massachusetts District Court case stating that an employer’s use of the fluctuating work week (FWW) method to calculate overtime, when factoring in a performance-based pay structure, does not violate the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law.

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March Updates

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This HR Alert addresses the following topics:
  1. West Virginia Becomes a Right-to-Work State, Repeals Prevailing Wage
  2. Alabama Governor Signs Law Prohibiting Municipal Minimum Wage Ordinances
  3. New Hampshire Supreme Court Holds Individuals Can be Liable for Workplace Discrimination/Retaliation Cases

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