Dept. of Labor publishes guidance on paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave

The U.S. Department of Labor has published guidance for employers and employees about how to take advantage of federal protections and relief as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) takes effect on April 1, 2020. The legislation will give all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health or to care for family members.

“The guidance – provided in a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document – addresses critical questions, such as how an employer must count the number of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an exemption; how to count hours for part-time employees; and how to calculate the wages employees are entitled to under this law,” according to a department news release.

The guidance is just the first round of information and compliance assistance, the release says. A workplace poster required for most employers will be published along with additional fact sheets and more Q&As.

Major building industry groups the International Code Council (ICC), ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have agreed to collaborate on the development of Standard 189.1, the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), and the LEED green building program.

| Aug 21, 2014

Performance-based zoning: U.S. cities starting to loosen zoning regulations

Driven by New Urbanism, more than two dozen communities in the U.S. have loosened zoning restrictions in recent years.

| Aug 21, 2014

Meeting to finalize amendments to green property underwriting standard

The National Public Meeting for Resiliency + Infrastructure Consensus Underwriting Standard Amendments will take place September 16, from 9 a.m.-12p.m. at Perkins+Will, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC in the World Wildlife Fund Building.

| Aug 21, 2014

American Iron and Steel Institute revises 14 test standards

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) published 14 revised test standards in its S900-series.

| Aug 14, 2014

Mississippi county rejects adoption of state building code

The county board of supervisors voted unanimously to opt out of the state building code.

| Aug 14, 2014

Boards at odds over North Carolina county’s CM-at-Risk policy

Some local small contractors are not pleased with the school board’s CM-at-Risk policy that was instituted in 2007. The county’s board of commissioners has offered a sympathetic ear to their complaints

| Aug 14, 2014

2014 National Electrical Code now effective in 12 states; 11 more to come online by January

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code(NEC) is now effective in 12 states: Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming.