The coronavirus (COVID-19) was recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation. The situation continues to develop rapidly. Given the transient nature of the Bermuda workforce, Bermuda-based employers should consider taking steps now to manage risks both proportionately and sensibly. This article provides guidance to help Bermuda employers address some of the key queries and concerns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions and slowdowns in almost all industries. The situation is fluid and government, business and social responses have and must be dynamic. This article discusses the options available to employers outside Quebec to manage the unexpected downturns and, if necessary, reduce their labour force. All of the options may create risks, including circumstances where an employee could allege constructive dismissal and claim termination entitlements.

A bill amending the Sickness Benefits Act has recently been enacted to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for employers and self-employed persons. The bill extends the scope of employers' right to reimbursement of sickness benefits and self-employed persons' right to receive sickness benefits, provided that the sickness absence is caused by COVID-19.

The impact of COVID-19 is being felt in almost every work area across the globe. In order to keep readers abreast of this evolving situation, ILO's COVID-19 Weekly Report provides insight into the major legal developments of the past seven days, as well as a round-up of our panel of expert international legal commentators' legislative and regulatory guidance.

The government has introduced the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme to incentivise employers to retain employees on the payroll where possible (replacing the emergency COVID-19 Employer Refund Scheme). This article outlines the implications for employers.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the superintendent of public health has published the Minimum Special Leave Entitlements (Amendment) Regulations 2020. These regulations amend the Minimum Special Leave Entitlement Regulations, introducing a new paid quarantine leave for all employees, payable by their employer.

The president and prime minister have announced a Zl212 billion package of measures – the so-called 'anti-crisis shield' – to protect businesses and employees against the adverse economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This article provides an overview of the proposed changes to labour law presented as part of the initial version of the anti-crisis shield.

The government has announced that the planned reforms to IR35 will now take effect on 6 April 2021 instead of 6 April 2020 as previously planned. The postponement will come as an enormous relief to businesses that were struggling to prepare for this significant change to employment tax while dealing with the issues introduced by the fast-changing coronavirus situation. However, this is clearly a deferral of the reforms rather than an abandonment.

For 2020, legislation enacted in December 2019 dramatically increased penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for late filing of certain employee benefit plan notices and reports. In addition, a final rule published by the Department of Labour made inflation adjustments to a wide range of penalties. This article compiles the penalty amounts that apply from 2020.