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Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
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MCCC Blog |
Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
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Morris Chamber Members and Friends, The business community, concerned for opening more businesses and increasing jobs, was carefully monitoring a bill that allows a presumption that certain essential employees who contracted COVID-19 on the job and shifts the response costs onto New Jersey’s workers compensation system. Assembly bill S-2380 creates a rebuttable presumption for workers' compensation insurance purposes that certain essential employees contracted the virus during the scope of their employment. Currently, an employee has a choice - he or she can either file for NJ workers' compensation or for federal benefits. Under this legislation, any employee working at an "essential business" who develops COVID-19 is presumed to have caught the virus on the job and, thus, deemed eligible for all workers' compensation benefits. The shift in presumption is a change from current statute. The workers' compensation system is designed to handle claims when a worker is clearly injured at the job. Unlike traditional workers' compensation claims, COVID-19 is a global pandemic that we are all trying to understand. Furthermore, it is not clear when and where someone contracts the virus, making it extremely difficult to prove it was contracted at their place of employment. This change in presumption will raise the cost of workers' compensation premiums at a time when business has been devastated by COVID-19. Please join us in urging the Governor to veto S-2380.
The business community lobbied hard against the bill, as it will force employers to shoulder increased premiums at a very difficult time, while irresponsibly leaving federal CARES Act money on the table that is specifically allocated to cover the costs of essential workers who do contract COVID-19 on the job. The bill, as written, also does not limit the time to a presumption of contracting the illness to when New Jersey’s stay-at-home orders were in place. The bill is now on Gov. Murphy’s desk and the Morris County Chamber and its statewide business partner, NJBIA is calling on you to ask him to veto the bill. To take action, please ask Governor Murphy to veto the bill if you have not already do so by clicking here. To see how you’re legislator voted on the bill, click here. Thank you, Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO, Morris County Chamber + EDC Mike Stanzilis, VP of Membership, Morris County Chamber + EDC Alan Zakin, Alan Zakin Associates and Chair of Morris Chamber Government Affairs & ELC If you have any questions, please call Mike Stanzilis, at 973.210.6079 Comments are closed.
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Please Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
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The Power of Connection! Your membership connects you to valuable resources, opportunities for business growth and rewarding relationships with fellow members. And you don't need to be based in Morris County to belong!
Our Business Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. If you plan to stop by, it's best to make an appointment to ensure that someone will be available for you. Staff is often out of the office hosting events or meeting with members.
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The Morris County Economic Development Alliance (The Alliance) is an affiliated 501c3 Nonprofit of the Morris County Chamber and includes the Morris County Tourism Bureau, the Morris County Economic Development Corporation and the Connect To Morris job board.
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