By: Thomas Law Group On: April 01, 2020 In: COVID-19 Updates Comments: 0

Below you will find a few updates that may be pertinent to your business matters. The attorneys and staff at Thomas Law Group are dedicated to serving our valued clients during this difficult and uncertain time, as we remain open as an “essential business” in Ohio. Our attorneys will continue to be available to you for all of your legal needs, including compliance with the FFCRA and the review of “Force Majeure” clauses in leases and assistance/guidance in dealing with landlords. Please contact Thomas Law Group with any questions you may have.

FAMILIES FIRST CARONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.  Each covered employer must post in a conspicuous place on its premises a notice of FFCRA requirements. The pdf Poster attached to this message complies with an employer’s requirement to provide this notice and should be displayed in a conspicuous place at your business location. However, given that many business are no longer open or most employees are working from home, the Poster can be sent to current employees via email or some other means that provides employees with the opportunity to receive this information.  The provisions of the FFCRA apply from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, and this Poster should be displayed at your location and sent electronically to employees immediately. Because employees that have been recently laid off are no longer employees, you are not required to send this information to them. Get the FFCRA Poster HERE

FORCE MAJEURE

Due to changing and unpredictable circumstances, many businesses are focusing on reducing expenses and maintaining the financial viability of their business. Any client that leases its business location from a third party landlord should review its lease for a “Force Majeure” clause that may, due to the COVID-19 health crisis, offer some relief from a tenant’s obligations under its lease, such as: payment of rent, continuously operating its business in the leased premises, maintenance of the leased premises, etc.  A “Force Majeure” clause may legally provide a tenant with grounds to not perform its obligations under a lease, even if the Landlord does not agree.