Unum launches site for coronavirus issues impacting businesses

New podcast series and regular webinars provide critical legislative guidance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 9, 2020) – Employee benefits provider Unum launched a new site dedicated to updating HR professionals and business leaders with critical issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic. HR Trends brings together viewpoints and analysis from leading industry experts and national HR thought leaders. In addition to a weekly podcast, the site will include webinar recordings around important issues and legislation like the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Paycheck Protection Program.

Current content available on HR Trends include:

• April 7: COVID-19 resources for small employers – Primarily for employers with less than 500 employees, this episode features Ellen McCann, Legal Counsel to Unum’s Employment Law Group, offering recent legislative updates to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Unum’s government affairs expert, Laura Kilmartin, then unpacks the Paycheck Protection Program, a Small Business Administration lending program designed to encourage businesses to keep their employees on the payroll. 
  
  
• March 24 & 31: How does COVID-19 impact the FMLA? (Parts 1 & 2) - McCann walks through the latest guidance from the Department of Labor on the FFCRA.
  
  
• March 3: Top FMLA mistakes: “Deeming” when you shouldn’t - McCann explains how employers often incorrectly deem eligibility for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in two major ways. She offers best practices and advice on what to do if you’re unable to deem employees eligible for FMLA. 
  
  
• Feb. 25: Top FMLA mistakes: #1 eligibility errors - McCann spotlights the most common eligibility errors that employers make while administering the FMLA.

Unum also provides regular updates on its dedicated COVID-19 page featuring frequently asked questions, legislative updates and additional resources.