Attorney guide during Government shutdown

 Law.com/ Corporate Practice’s best advice to lawyers, especially general counsel, during the federal government’s shutdown is a simple “be patient.” Briggs & Morgan veteran Mike Moberg, though, with almost two decades of employment law experience behind him, has a few ideas in an article posted this morning to help counsel get through in the meantime:

• Keep Deadlines & Statutes of Limitations in Mind
        [ Example: Moberg notes that while “most federal agencies                   that have ceased operations are  pushing up paperwork                       deadlines during the shutdown -- not all of them. The                              National Labor Relations Board is granting time extensions               wherever it can, but it hasn’t nixed the  six-month statute of                limitations to file an unfair labor practice charge” ]

•  Don’t procrastinate on employee verifications
         [ “When the government shut down, so did E-Verify, the                           program businesses use to check  employment eligibility.                   That doesn’t release corporations from the obligation of                       complying with verification rules, Moberg said. According                 to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security                “employers must still complete the Form I-9 no later than                    the third business day after an employee starts work for                      pay.” ]

•  Continue to expect delays even after the shutdown ends – whenever that is
         [ As the government shutdown continues paperwork is going               to  pile up, and it’s going to be magnified the longer the                         shutdown goes on.  Moberg recommends that counsel send               emails now and after the shutdown to make sure every need               is addressed.]

   Corporate Practice has a second posting on contingency plans set up by federal regulators during the shutdown along with links compiled by the Office of Management and Budget to all of the available agency plans.