November 2020
HR & Safety News, Insights and Updates
Consultstu LLC delivers fractional human resources services to small/mid businesses.
Our monthly newsletter keeps keeps clients and friends up to date on important
law updates, news and trends. 
Florida Voters Amend Constitution, Minimum Wage Rises to $15 by 2026
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida voters on Tuesday approved raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next six years, which advocates say will lift the pay for hundreds of thousands of workers in the state’s service-heavy economy. The measure will increase minimum wage to $10 in late 2021, and gradually raise the minimum to $15 by 2026. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has the actual details about the Amendment and articles in the subject.

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Florida announces $8.65 Minimum Wage for 2021
On October 15, 2020, Florida announced the new minimum wage rate of $8.65 per hour for 2021. Florida’s minimum wage rate is adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. The minimum hourly rate for tipped employees in Florida will be $5.63 per hour in 2021. However, Florida voters approved an increase in the minimum wage on November 3, so the minimum rate will likely increase starting September 30, 2021. See above, and stay tuned for more information.

6 ways Small Businesses Improve Results by Investing in HR
Not every company needs to hire an HR professional, but every company needs to invest in its HR function. Without skilled and experienced human resources advice, small business owners can make expensive mistakes. In addition, HR can offer ownership proactive guidance and recommendation on ways to improve HR processes and procedures and shape and develop a workforce that maximizes results and profits.

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Important Updates about PPP Loan Forgiveness and Deadlines
In mid-October, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) released two (2) important updates for businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.  The PPP provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses.

First, is October 31, 2020, the deadline for borrowers to apply for PPP loan forgiveness? No. See More....
IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limits for 2021 (unchanged)
On October 26, the IRS announced the cost-of-living adjustments for 2021 that affect amounts employees can contribute to 401(k) plans and IRAs. For the most part, amounts remain unchanged for 2021.

HR Question: Did the CDC update what is "close contact" with someone who has COVID-19?
Yes. In late October, the CDC revised its definition of "close contact." Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. So, short periods of time, added together, is now considered close contact.

If you have been in close contact with a COVID positive person (excluding those who had it in the last 3 months), the CDC recommends you quarantine and monitor your symptoms.