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The COVID-19 pandemic challenges all aspects of work. For businesses attempting to return to work, there are many new liability risks and employer obligations to consider. How an employer assesses, implements, and communicates new policies and procedures will have a lasting impact on employee productivity, engagement, and commitment. This playbook is designed to assist companies and organizations in developing their risk mitigation strategy and coverage-specific issues related to people, property, and loss prevention.

Fraud is happening at your organization; you just don’t know it. Then again, maybe you do, but you are not sure how pervasive the problem is, where to begin your anti-fraud journey, or how to enhance your current fraud risk management practices. This playbook—which includes templates, checklists, and tools—draws from best practices and leading guidance that will reduce your fraud risk.

Organizations of all sizes have been in survival mode since the beginning of 2020 to get through the pandemic and the economic downturn that followed. But now, as the world moves towards recovery and growth, entities must carefully consider their unique circumstances and risk exposures when analyzing how recent events may affect their financial reporting. In addition, businesses will need to properly account for and memorialize any stimulus money received from the federal government.

For leaders and organizations, it has been hard to make the right moves amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But during any time of crisis, it's people who are the ultimate differentiator. In this Briefings Magazine issue, it begins with a cover story on Reading the Future and the questions on every CEO’s mind. Other voices in leadership share their ideas, advice, and plans on talent, compensation, the global economy, inclusion, and living a purposeful life.

The ability to perform financial transactions online offers tremendous convenience, but also exposes assets to theft and cyber fraud. In addition, the internet of things (IOT) which connects home security systems and other smart devices, creates another access point to personal information and assets. As new technology surfaces, the need to protect accounts, home networks, and family members from cyber hazards grows exponentially. With these proactive best practices, you can limit your personal cyber exposure risk.

For employers with less than 500 employees who provided benefits under the leave program of Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), a separate line of identification and reporting is required on the W-2 Form. Guidance is provided in the IRS Notice 2020-54 to help employers properly report 2020 emergency paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave wages paid to employees under the FFCRA.

With the lifting and re-evaluation of the "shelter in place" orders amid the COVID-19 environment, it is critical to have a responsible plan when restarting business operations. Recommended guidelines for the workplace—including worker health and wellness precautions, COVID-19 testing options, office work considerations, and employee benefits eligibility guidance—are outlined to ensure preparations are made to see through the crisis.

While many are still managing the COVID-19 crisis, post-COVID-19 action plans are starting to take shape. Our discussion focuses on unpacking recent tax law changes and the impact on a family office, including key considerations—such as the sale of business goodwill and trust and estate planning—when deciding the entity choice of your operating business.

The CARES Act has brought important tax relief provisions and these, coupled with sophisticated tax planning techniques, are more effective now as asset values and interest rates have dropped. Our discussion focuses on key COVID-19 programs and wealth and tax planning ideas that may benefit your family, including making adjustments to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) to maximize high-basis assets.