2021 has been another challenging, exciting, and ever evolving year for the business world. As 2021 comes to an end, here are some year-end tips and compliance guidance to ensure you are ready to kick off 2022 on the right track!
Check out the 7 tips and download your very own checklist below!
1. W-2 Prep
Make sure employee’s (past and present) addresses and social security numbers are correct. Employees needing to update their information will need to fill out a new W-4.
2. Prepare and Distribute Annual Compliance Notice
Your company maybe mandated to distribute certain compliance notices to your employees. These include a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC), privacy practices on personal health information (HIPPA), the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act on Health Coverage assistance (CHIPRA), Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), and COBRA General Rights and Election Notices.
3. Audit Full-time Employees (FTE) Count
If your company has reached or exceeded 50 full-time employees you are now requited to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act Compliance (FMLA) in 2022. You will be obligated to provide your employees with certain FMLA notices.
4. Cafeteria Plan and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan Amendments
If you elected to pick and choose from a menu of COVID relief options (offering plan participants opportunities to change their coverage or FSA elections mid-year, carryover balances, extended grace periods, and more) your plan document many need to be updated. Any company that has leveraged any relief must amend their section 125 cafeteria plans and FSA by December 31, 2021.
5. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Comparative Analysis
Companies who sponsor a group health plan need to engage their plan service providers to complete the necessary analysis and evaluate MHPAEA compliance using the Department of Labor’s self-compliance tool.
6. Companies Who Are Subject to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Requirements
1095-C forms must be distributed to full-time employees by January 31, 2022.
7. Employee Handbooks
This is also a good time to review your employee handbook and policies to match any new laws, regulations, or company policies. All updates to the handbook should be redistributed to employees to have them sign off on their acceptance. Also, check that your company safety manual is up to date, accessible and signed by your current employees.
The WRAP
Download Your Checklist
As always, feel free to reach out to The Olson Group HR Compliance team with any questions. Let us help ensure your company is compliant. Happy 2022!
About The Author
The AdvoCAT Series strives to be your HR advocate.
Eva, our Compliance Cat, is here to provide specific content for a wide variety of topics.