May 26, 2020, 12:01 PM
(from multiple sources) Should colleges plan to open campuses in the fall? Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education that it will depend on the location and demography of the students. If colleges do open, they will need to develop a rigorous virus testing plan, as younger people are more likely to be asymptomatic carriers, he said.
Economist Lucie Lapovsky argues on the other hand that colleges should abandon working through multiple scenarios for the fall and instead follow the example of the California State University System and provide most instruction online and keep their residence halls closed. In a recent Forbes article, Lapovsky takes this stance knowing the financial consequences are great for colleges, but says the health risks outweigh the benefits; college campuses have the potential to spread the virus easily, and believes the in-person experience with many modifications will not be the experience students want anyway. Instead of planning for multiple scenarios and modified operations, colleges should spend the summer improving the distance learning experience.
California's superintendent announced that that state's public schools plan to reopen in the fall with modifications. A recent American School & University article explains there will likely be a mix of in-person and distance learning to reduce the number of students on campus, and while on campus, staff and students will be required to wear masks.
(from SHRM) It will be difficult to monitor employees' off-work social distancing practices, according to attorney Laura Jacobsen. Employers should follow any applicable state statutes that protect employees from being disciplined for lawful off-duty activity, she cautioned. Employers might ask employees in a daily health survey if workers:
The employer may learn via social media or other means that an employee has been in a crowded environment such as the beach or socializing with larger groups of people, but rather than assuming the employee is infected, it is better to educate all employees about the importance of social distancing and monitoring their health.
(from 401(k) Specialist) Last Thursday, May, 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor announced publication of a final rule that permits default electronic delivery of retirement plan disclosures. The rule allows employers to deliver disclosures to plan participants primarily electronically, which will reduce printing, mailing, and related plan costs by an estimated $3.2 billion over the next decade, the DOL said in a statement announcing the final rule. The rule will also make disclosures more readily accessible and useful for participants, but preserve the rights of those who prefer paper disclosures.
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