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Texas
- IRS ANNOUNCES 2009 STANDARD
MILEAGE RATES
The Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) has announced the standard mileage reimbursement
rates for 2009, used to calculate the deductible costs
of operating an automobile for business, charitable,
medical or moving purposes. Read More... [12/09/08]
- COMPANY TO PAY $1.8
MILLION FOR MISCLASSIFYING EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
A temporary employee placement company, 888
Consulting Group Inc., doing business as TAC
Worldwide, has agreed to pay 973 employees
across the country a total of $1,866,943 in
overtime back wages to resolve a lawsuit filed
by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) alleging
violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards
Act (FLSA).
Read
More... [12/06/2008]
- EEOC
SETTLES RELIGIOUS BIAS CASE FOR
2 MILLION
The
U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has announced a settlement for
$2 million and significant
remedial relief to resolve a
class religious discrimination
lawsuit against the University
of Phoenix, Inc., and its parent
corporation, Apollo Group, Inc.
Read
More...
[11/25/2008]
Top
- ADA
AMENDMENTS TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA),
which goes into effect on
January 1, 2009, makes
significant changes to the
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and expands the scope of
disabilities that are covered
under the Act. The amendment
overturns a series of Supreme
Court decisions that have
narrowly interpreted the ADA and
makes it more difficult for
employers to defend against
certain claims. Listed below are
some of the important changes.
Read
More... [11/24/2008]
- COMPANY TO
PAY $1.6 MILLION IN BACK WAGES
TO H-1B WORKERS
Following an investigation by
the U. S. Department of Labor
(DOL), an information technology
company (“GlobalCynex Inc”) has
agreed to pay $1,683,584 to 343
non-immigrant workers after the
DOL found the company violated
the H-1B visa provisions of the
Immigration and Nationality Act.
Read
More...
[11/21/2008]
- FINAL FMLA
RULE IS PUBLISHED BY THE DOL
The
much anticipated revised
regulations to the Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA) were
published November 17, 2008, in
the Federal Register. The
regulations contain over 750
pages of revisions and
clarifications of the FMLA and
also provide guidance on the
recently enacted Family Military
Leave amendments.
Read
More... [11/11/2008]
Top
- REMINDER
ON VOTING TIME OFF
AND POSTING
With
Election Day right around the
corner, it’s a good time to
review California’s voting time
off rules so employers are fully
aware of what is required under
the State’s Election Code.
Read More...
[10/27/08]
- OFFICE SAFETY TIPS:
WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is the science of fitting work to
the employee. The Greek form of the word is
broken into ergo (work) and nomos (laws of),
and basically means “the laws of work.”
Ergonomics, as a science, draws on many
other disciplines as its base.
Read More... [10/24/08]
- COMPANY SUED FOR OVER
$5 MILLION IN OVERTIME WAGES
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed
a lawsuit against a building materials
company for failing to properly pay overtime
back wages to its employees. The company,
Houston-based CEMEX Inc., failed to pay more
than $5 million to about 2,000 ready mix
drivers from eight states in violation of
the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Read More...
[10/24/08]
Top
- SOCIAL SECURITY
ANNOUNCES COLA FOR 2009
The Social Security Administration
recently announced that the monthly benefit
for more than 55 million Americans will
increase by 5.8% in 2009 – the largest
increase since 1982.
Read More...
[10/24/08]
- OSHA
STANDARDS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
Protecting employees from
potential head injuries is a key
element of any safety program. A
head injury can impair an
employee for life or can be
fatal. Wearing a hard hat is one
of the easiest ways to protect
an employee's head from injury.
Hard hats can protect employees
from impact and penetration
hazards as well as from
electrical shock and burn
hazards.
Read
More...
[10/16/08]
- RISING
HEALTHCARE COSTS HIT EMPLOYERS,
WORKERS
A recent survey released by the
Kaiser Family Foundation
confirms that the cost of health
care coverage continues to rise,
increasing the burden on both
employers and workers.
Read
More...
[10/15/08]
Top
- PRESIDENT SIGNS
LEGISLATION TO EXPAND PROTECTIONS
UNDER THE ADA
On September 25, 2008, the President signed
into law the ADA Amendments Act of 2008
that expands protections for disabled
workers.
Read more...
[9/26/08]
- STERLING JEWELERS SUED
FOR SEX DISCRIMINATION
Sterling Jewelers Inc., the largest
specialty retail jeweler in the country,
violated federal law by discriminating
against a large class of female employees at
stores nationwide, the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges in a
systemic lawsuit recently filed under
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Read More...
[09/24/2008]
- BUREAU OF LABOR
STATISTICS RELEASES 2007 WORKPLACE FATALITY
DATA
A preliminary total of 5,488 fatal work
injuries were recorded in the United States
in 2007, a decrease of 6 percent from the
revised total of 5,840 fatal work injuries
reported for 2006. Based on these counts,
the rate of fatal injury for U.S. employees
last year was 3.7 fatal work injuries per
100,000 employees, down from the final rate
of 4.0 recorded for 2006, and the lowest
annual fatality rate ever reported by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) fatality
census.
Read More...
[09/22/2008]
Top
- NEW HIPAA PRIVACY RULE
GUIDANCE
The Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for
Civil Rights (OCR) has published two new
HIPAA Privacy Rule guidance documents. The
HIPAA Privacy Rule created national
standards to protect individuals’ medical
records and other personal health
information (PHI). PHI is defined as
individually identifiable health information
transmitted or maintained by electronic
media or maintained in any other form or
medium. The Privacy Rule also regulates how
covered entities use and disclose PHI.
Read More... [09/22/2008]
- COMPANY TO PAY $1.3
MILLION FOR HIRING ILLEGAL ALIENS
The president of a Houston area donut
company and three of its managers have
pleaded guilty to hiring illegal aliens and
conspiring to harbor illegal immigrants. In
addition to any sentence that may be
imposed, the company has agreed to pay over
$1.3 million. The case is part of the
government's latest crackdown on employers
who hire illegal immigrants.
Read More... [09/21/2008]
- NEW ADA GUIDANCE ON
EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT ISSUES
U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has
issued a comprehensive question-and-answer
guide addressing how the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to a wide
variety of employee performance and conduct
issues.
Read More... [09/19/2008]
Top
- NEW! NO SMOKING SIGNS
FOR YOUR BUSINESS
The Personnel Advisor now offers laminated
“no smoking” and “smoking permitted” signs
at a special discounted price for members.
Over the years we have received many
requests for these products from subscribers
who prefer the sturdy, laminated posters. To
get no smoking signs for your business,
please visit the
Poster page to choose from
two options: the free, printable no smoking
signs –or– the option to purchase a
laminated sign at an affordable price
(scroll down on the purchase page to view
the no smoking signs).
- NEW PASSPORT CARD
ACCEPTABLE FOR FORM I-9 VERIFICATION
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) has informed the public
that the new U.S. Passport Card may be used
in the Employment Eligibility Verification
form (I-9) process.
Read More... 08/22/2008
- DEADLINE FOR VETS-100
REPORT IS SEPTEMBER 30
Federal contractors or subcontractors who
are required to comply with the Veteran’s
Employment and Training Service (VETS)
reporting requirements should be aware that
the deadline to file the VETS-100 report is
September 30, 2008. The VETS-100 report must
be submitted annually to the U.S. Department
of Labor (DOL) no later than September 30 of
each year.
Read More... 08/22/2008
Top
- IRS ISSUES 2009 MAXIMUM HSA
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue
Service issued new guidance on the maximum
contribution levels for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
and out-of-pocket spending limits for High
Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) that must be used in
conjunction with HSAs. Read
more...
[08/20/2008]
- COURT SIDES WITH OLDER WORKERS
IN AGE BIAS CASE
In a closely watched case, the U.S. Supreme Court
has ruled in favor of older workers in an age
discrimination case. By a 7-1 vote, the Court ruled
that when a company asserts layoffs of older workers
were based on factors other than the workers' age,
the employer has the burden of proving those factors
are valid.
Read
more...
[08/16/2008]
- OSHA TIPS FOR PREVENTING
WOODWORKING HAZARDS
Each year in American workplaces, powered portable
and stationary mechanical saws are responsible for
thousands of injuries serious enough to require
medical attention. Most of these injuries occur
because the saw operator is not adequately trained,
or the saw blade is insufficiently protected.
Read
more...
[08/15/2008] Top
- SOCIAL SECURITY UNVEILS NEW
RETIREMENT BENEFITS CALCULATOR
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently
unveiled a new online calculator that will provide
immediate and personalized benefit estimates to help
people plan for their retirement. The retirement
estimator is tied to an individual’s actual Social
Security earnings record and eliminates the need to
manually key in years of earnings information. Read
more...
[08/12/2008]
- OSHA ISSUES THIRD LARGEST FINE
IN HISTORY
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has issued citations proposing penalties
totaling $8,777,500 against the Imperial Sugar
Company and its two affiliates alleging violations
at their plants in Port Wentworth, Ga., and
Gramercy, La. OSHA initiated the inspections
following an explosion and fire on February 7, 2008,
at the Port Wentworth refinery that claimed the
lives of 13 employees and hospitalized 40 others.
Read
more...
[08/10/2008]
- NEW! ALL-IN-ONE COMBINATION
LABOR LAW POSTERS
In response to customer demand, the Personnel
Advisor now offers laminated “all-in-one”
combination posters at a special discounted price
for members. Over the years we have had numerous
requests for this product from subscribers who
prefer the convenience of these posters.
Read
more...
[07/20/2008]
Top
- EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRES
FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO USE E-VERIFY
Federal contractors are
now required by Executive Order to use the online
E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility
of their workers. E-Verify is a free Internet-based
system operated by the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social
Security Administration (SSA) that allows enrolled
employers to electronically confirm the legal status
of newly hired employees.
Read More... [07/16/2008]
- USCIS EXPLAINS 2009 CAP COUNT
FOR H-1B AND H-2B WORKERS
The U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service (USCIS) recently issued an
explanation of the annual caps set by Congress on
certain nonimmigrant visa classifications used by
employers to bring in foreign workers in specialty
or other occupations (H-1B and H-2B visas).
Read More... [07/15/2008]
- OSHA CITES UNITED AIRLINES FOR
SAFETY VIOLATIONS
As a result of an
investigation conducted in November 2007, the U.S.
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has cited United Airlines in
Chicago with numerous workplace health and safety
violations.
Read
More... [07/14/2008]
Top
- HOUSE PASSES ADA AMENDMENT ACT
The U.S. House of
Representatives recently passed a bill (H.R. 3195)
that amends the Americans With Disabilities Act
(ADA) and expands protections for people with
disabilities, making it easier for workers to prove
discrimination.
Read More...
[07/12/2008]
- HIGHER CHILD LABOR PENALTIES
NOW IN EFFECT
Under an amendment to the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers may now
be hit with new, higher penalties for child labor
violations.
Read More...
[07/10/2008]
- EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE ON
RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
A new guide for handling religious
diversity and discrimination issues in the workplace
was recently released by the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Read More... [07/09/2008]
Top
- NEW I-9 FORM RELEASED
The U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a new
version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility
Verification. The new I-9 has a revision date of
"(Rev. 06/16/08)N" in the bottom right corner of the
form.
Read More...
[06/30/2008]
- WAL-MART TO PAY $250,000 FOR
DISABILITY BIAS
Retail giant Wal-Mart will
pay $250,000 and furnish significant injunctive
relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit
filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC). The EEOC had charged that
Wal-Mart failed to accommodate and then fired a
long-time pharmacy technician who suffered a
disability resulting from a gunshot wound.
Read More... [06/27/2008]
- 160 EMPLOYEES ARRESTED IN
IMMIGRATION RAID
As part of year-long
investigation of worksites allegedly hiring illegal
aliens, on June 25 federal agents with the U. S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency
raided a used clothing plant in Houston, Texas,
arresting more than 160 employees for immigration
violations.
Read
More... [06/27/2008]
Top
- OSHA'S TARGETED INSPECTION
PLAN FOR 2008
The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced
that its 2008 Site-Specific Targeting (SST) plan
will focus on approximately 3,800 high-hazard
worksites on its primary list for unannounced
comprehensive safety inspections over the coming
year.
Read More...
[06/26/2008
- FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE TO
INCREASE JULY 24
On July 24, 2008, the
federal minimum wage will increase again from $5.85
to $6.55 per hour. This increase is the second step
of a scheduled three-stage increase in the federal
minimum wage rate that Congress passed into law last
year. The last step occurs on July 24, 2009, when
the rate will rise to $7.25 an hour.
Read More...
[06/26/2008]
- LANDMARK RESTAURANT TO PAY
$2.2 MILLION FOR HARASSMENT & RACISM
The U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced a
$2.2 million settlement of a harassment and
retaliation lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act against Tavern on the Green, a landmark
restaurant located in Central Park in New York City.
Read
More... [06/25/2008]
Top
- MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATES TO
INCREASE JULY 1
On June 23, 2008, the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase
in the standard mileage reimbursement rates for the
final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the
optional standard mileage rates to calculate the
deductible costs of operating an automobile for
business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Read More... [06/24/2008]
- BUSH SIGNS GENETIC
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL
On Wednesday, May 21,
President Bush signed into law the Genetic
Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). As
previously reported, the Act protects personal
information by prohibiting employers and insurance
companies from discriminating against an individual
on the basis of genetic information.
Read More... [5/19/2008]
- OCR RELEASES HIPAA PRIVACY
BROCHURES
The Office for Civil
Rights (OCR) has posted on its health information
privacy website two brochures designed to give
individuals a better understanding of the HIPAA
Privacy Rule.
Read More... [5/17/2008]
Top
- EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK TEMPLATE
As an added benefit
for our valued subscribers, the Personnel
Advisor now offers an easy to use template
that allows you to create your own employee
handbook.
Read More... [5/15/2008]
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT VERDICT
UPHELD AGAINST HARRIS FARMS
The U. S. Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed the
judgment on a jury verdict in favor of the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
and farm worker Olivia Tamayo in a sexual
harassment and retaliation lawsuit against
California-based Harris Farms, one of the
largest integrated farming operations in the
Central San Joaquin Valley.
Read More... [5/13/2008]
- GENETIC INFORMATION BILL
AWAITS PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE
On May 1, 2008, the U.S. House of
Representatives approved by a vote of 414-1, the
final passage of H.R. 493, the Genetic
Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The
bipartisan legislation protects personal
information by prohibiting employers and
insurance companies from discriminating against
an individual on the basis of genetic
information.
Read
More... [5/12/2008]
Top
- LOCKHEED MARTIN TO PAY
$773,000 IN AGE BIAS SETTLEMENT
The U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
recently announced the settlement of its age
discrimination lawsuit against Lockheed Martin
Global Telecommunications for $773,000 for a
class of eight older employees.
Read More...
[4/28/2009]
- OSHA SAFETY TIPS FOR
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Physicians and other
medical professionals are dedicated to helping
patients mend their injuries and cure their
illnesses. Employers whose workplaces are in
medical facilities must be aware of the
importance of protecting their staff from
hazards as well.
Read More...
[4/25/2008]
- SURVEY SHOWS WHAT MATTERS
MOST TO EMPLOYEES
A
new survey on what American workers would like
to have in a job reveals that it’s not just
about the money.
Read More...
[4/23/2008]
Top
- DOL SUES COMPANY FOR
MISMANAGEMENT OF PENSION FUNDS
The U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) has filed a lawsuit against
Chicago-based AA Capital Partners Inc. and its
executives for improperly causing more than $25
million in losses for five Michigan pension
funds by misusing plan assets to benefit
themselves and by charging the plans excessive
investment management fees.
Read More... [4/21/2008]
- ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH (APRIL 1-30)
April is National Alcohol
Awareness Month, and employers and other
organizations are encouraged to participate by
educating workers about the dangers of alcohol abuse
and the resources available to help those struggling
with alcohol problems.
Read More... [4/19/2008]
- H-1B VISA CAP REACHED
FOR 2009
The U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
announced on April 8, 2008, that it has
received enough H-1B petitions to meet the
congressionally mandated cap for 2009.
Read More...
[4/16/2008]
Top
- SUPREME COURT RULES EMPLOYEES CAN SUE OVER 401(K) MISCONDUCT
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that individual participants in 401(k) retirement plans can sue plan fiduciaries to recover losses that result from mishandling of their individual retirement accounts.
Read More...
[3/29/2008]
- NEW DATABASE FOR
DISABLED JOB CANDIDATES
The U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the
availability of nationwide database for
employers that includes 1,769 new job
candidates with disabilities seeking work in
a wide variety of fields. Read More...
[3/24/2008]
- OSHA QUICK TIPS ON
COMBUSTIBLE DUST
Recently, employers rolled their clocks
forward one hour, initiating the start of
Daylight Saving Time. The proverbial "spring
forward" also reminds us that spring
cleaning is right around the corner.
Read More...
[3/16/2008]
Top
- SUPREME COURT SIDES
WITH WORKERS IN AGE DISCRIMINATION CASE
Last week, the United States
Supreme Court issued an important decision
concerning age discrimination lawsuits.
Read More... [3/4/2008]
- DHS ANNOUNCES HIGHER
FINES FOR IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS
The federal government will raise by 25% the
fines it levies against employers who
knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The
announcement was made on February 22, 2008,
by Attorney General Michael Mukasey and
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
in a joint briefing about newly enacted
border security reforms put in place by the
Departments of Justice and Homeland
Security. Read More...
[2/25/2008]
- TEMPORARY POSTER FOR
FMLA MILITARY LEAVE
The U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a
temporary Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
poster insert titled "Notice Military Family
Leave." According to the DOL’s Wage and Hour
Division, employers are not required to post
this temporary notice. However, the DOL
encourages employers to use the notice until
the final version of the revised FMLA poster
is released.
Read More... [2/21/2008]
Top
- FEDEX FINED $319 MILLION
FOR MISCLASSIFYING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ordered
the FedEx Corporation to pay $319 million in back
taxes and penalties for misclassifying its ground
delivery workers as independent contractors.
Read More...
[2/22/2008]
- FURNITURE COMPANY TO PAY
$465,000 FOR RACIAL HARASSMENT
The U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the
settlement of a racial harassment lawsuit for
$465,000 and significant remedial relief against
Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc. on behalf of
African American employees who were subjected to a
persistent racially hostile work environment at a
furniture plant.
Read
More... [2/20/2008] -
NEW FMLA RULES PROPOSED BY DOL
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
recently issued proposed rules to update its regulations under the Family
and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Read More... [02/18/08]
Top
-
NEW FMLA LEAVE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
The President has signed a bill that expands the
federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
for the first time since its enactment 15 years
ago. The measure, part of a defense authorization
package, amends the FMLA to provide two new types
of FMLA leave to employees with family members
serving in the military.
Read more...
[2/4/08] -
2007 WAS A RECORD YEAR IN WAGE RECOVERY FOR DOL
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) has released its
enforcement data for last year and the numbers
reveal that 2007 was a record year in wage
recovery.
Read more...
[1/22/08]
-
OSHA POSTING DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1
Employers with 11 or more employees, whose
businesses are subject to OSHA recordkeeping
requirements, must post annual injury/illness
summaries for the preceding year from February 1
through April 30 using OSHA Form 300A.
Read more...
[1/16/08] Top
-
EEOC ISSUES RULE TO PROTECT RETIREE HEALTH
BENEFITS
The EEOC recently issued a long-awaited regulation
permitting employers to exclude retirees from
health benefits after they become
Medicare-eligible without risk of violating the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Read more...
[1/10/08] -
2008 UI TAX RATES TO DECREASE FOR MOST EMPLOYERS
Most Texas employers will save on their
Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes this coming year
due to a decrease in the UI tax rates, the Texas
Workforce Commission recently announced.
Read more...
[12/21/07]
-
PAYROLL CHECKLIST FOR JANUARY 2008
Employers and employees have certain payroll
obligations to consider at the beginning of the
new year.
Read more...
[12/20/07]
Top
-
NEW IRS FORMS W-4 AND W-9 NOW AVAILABLE
The new W-4 for 2008 is now available in the Forms
section. Employers should have the following
employees complete the W-4 form..
Read more...
[12/19/07] -
FINAL RULE ON EMPLOYER-PAID PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in the
November 15, 2007 Federal Register a final
rule on employer-paid personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Read more...
[12/19/07]
-
A
SAFE
AND SOBER
MESSAGE ABOUT WORKPLACE PARTIES AND DRINKING
The workplace is frequently a place where
employees and employers get together to celebrate
special events. Workplace parties typically mean
lots of music, food and drinks.
Read more...
[12/17/07]
Top
-
NEW I-9 DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 26
As discussed in a previous update, the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has
released a new Form I-9. Following its release,
the USCIS announced in the November 26, 2007
edition of the Federal Register that
employers must transition to the newly revised
Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) no
later than December 26, 2007.
Read more...[12/12/07] -
IRS RELEASES MILEAGE RATES FOR 2008
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued the 2008 optional standard mileage rates used
to calculate the deductible costs of operating an
automobile for business, charitable, medical or
moving purposes.
Read more...
[11/29/07]
-
PENALTY FOR FAILING TO REPORT
NEW HIRES
As most employers are aware, federal and state
laws require employers to provide information
about all new or rehired workers to the Texas
Attorney General’s Office within 20 days of the
effective hire date. A recent amendment to the new
hire reporting law will affect all employers who
fail to report new hires.
Read more...
[11/26/07]
Top
-
BLS RELEASES 2006 WORKPLACE INJURY
AND ILLNESS
RATES
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently
reported a decline in the rate of workplace
injuries and illnesses in private industry for the
fourth consecutive year. Approximately 4.1 million
injuries and illnesses occurred in 2006.
Read more...
[11/20/76] -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW I-9 FORM
We have been receiving many questions about the
new I-9 Form. The questions and answers listed
below address many of those posed by our
subscribers.
Read more...
[11/14/07]
-
NEW I-9 FORM RELEASED
After years in the making, the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finally
released a new I-9 Form.
While the USCIS has not
yet released a formal announcement, the new form
has been released and is now available
for use.
Read more...
[11/8/07] Top
-
BLOOMBERG SUED FOR PREGNANCY BIAS
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has filed a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit
against Bloomberg LP, the news and financial
services company founded by New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg in 1981.
Read more...
[10/26/07] -
OSHA TIPS FOR COMPUTER USE
Today, the vast majority of Americans regularly
access computers. This includes the many millions
who use computers daily at work.
Read more...
[10/24/07]
-
NEW ERISA COMPLIANCE WEB TOOL LAUNCHED
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits
Security Administration (EBSA) has released a new
interactive Web tool to serve as a resource for
employers in complying with federal employee
benefit laws.
Read more...
[10/17/07]
Top
-
EEOC FILES
RACE
DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST CERIDIAN
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has filed a race discrimination lawsuit against
Ceridian Corporation based on allegations that a
black employee was fired from the company after
making a racial bias complaint.
Read more…
[10/5/07] -
JUDGE APPROVES $57 MILLION SETTLEMENT AGAINST
SPRINT-NEXTEL
A federal judge has approved a $57 million
settlement that resolves a series of age
discrimination lawsuits claiming that Sprint
Nextel Corporation targeted older workers when it
fired nearly 1,700 former employees.
Read more...
[9/26/07]
-
COURT HALTS NO-MATCH RULE
As we reported last month, a new “safe harbor”
rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) established new procedures for employers to
follow upon receipt of a no-match letter from
Social Security Administration (SSA).
Read more...
[9/25/07]
Top
-
OSHA OFFERS SCAFFOLD SAFETY TIPS
According to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), scaffolding accidents are
one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths
at American workplaces.
Read more...
[9/24/07] -
SUBSTANCE ABUSE POSES SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Most of the nation’s approximately 16.4 million
current illicit drug users and approximately 15
million heavy alcohol users hold full-time jobs,
according to a new study by the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Read more...
[9/20/07]
-
DOL
ANNOUNCES DRUG-FREE
WORK WEEK
FOR 2007
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that
this year's National Drug-Free Work Week will take
place October 14 through 20. The purpose of
Drug-Free Work Week is to educate employers,
employees and the general public about the
importance of being drug-free as an essential
component of a safe and healthful workplace.
Read more...
[9/17/07] Top
-
DHS ANNOUNCES
NEW
SAFE HARBOR
RULE FOR EMPLOYERS WHO RECEIVE A NO-MATCH LETTER
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
announced that it has finalized a new rule that
permits employers to take advantage of a safe
harbor if they received a “no match” letter from
the Social Security Administration (SSA.)
Read more... [8/28/07]
-
TEXAS POSTER CHANGE
The state of Texas has revised its “Child Labor
Law" poster and it is now available for
subscribers to download and print.
Read more... [8/24/07]
-
CAESARS PALACE TO PAY $850,000 FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
AND
RETALIATION
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
recently announced that Caesars Palace will pay
$850,000 to settle a sexual harassment and
retaliation lawsuit.
Read more... [8/22/07] Top
-
2007 EEO-1 REPORT DUE FROM EMPLOYERS SEPTEMBER 30
Employers who are required to file the annual
EEO-1 Report should take note that the deadline
for filing the report is September 30.
Read more... [8/16/07]
-
NEW FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE
NOW IN EFFECT
As previously reported, recently passed
legislation will increase the federal minimum wage
three times over the next two years. The first
increase occurred on
July 24, 2007,
raising the federal minimum wage rate to $5.85.
In addition, all employers must now have posted...
Read more... [7/24/07]
-
SUPREME COURT: HOME HEALTH
CARE WORKERS
NOT ENTITLED TO OVERTIME PAY UNDER FEDERAL LAW
The Supreme Court has ruled in a 9-0 decision that
home care workers are not entitled to overtime pay
under federal law.
Read more... [7/23/07]
Top
-
EEOC AMENDS ADEA REGULATIONS TO CONFORM WITH
SUPREME COURT RULING
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has published a final rule on age discrimination
in the workplace to conform with the Supreme
Court’s decision in General Dynamics Land
Systems, Inc. v. Cline (2004).
Read more... [7/17/07] -
MINIMUM WAGE SET TO INCREASE
NEXT MONTH
The federal minimum wage is set to increase for
the first time in nearly a decade on July 24,
2007. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007,
recently signed into law by the President, will
raise the minimum wage three times over the next
two years. Based on the new legislation, the
minimum wage will increase in three stages...Read more... [6/25/07]
-
SUPREME COURT ENFORCES TIME LIMITS ON PAY BIAS
LAWSUITS
The United States Supreme Court has issued an
important ruling that affects filing deadlines in
pay discrimination lawsuits.
Read more... [6/14/07] Top
-
MOST EMPLOYEES
DON'T REACT
TO WARNINGS OF VIOLENCE
Ann Rule, the best-selling true-crime writer,
worked side-by-side with Ted Bundy, one of the
nation's most notorious serial killers, at a
Seattle suicide hot line in the early 1970s. Yet
Bundy's on-the-job behavior never raised the
hairs on the back of her neck
(By Maureen Milford).
Read
more... [6/12/07] -
EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE ON WORKERS WITH CAREGIVING
RESPONSIBILITIES
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) has issued a guidance document on how
federal EEO laws apply to workers with
caregiving responsibilities.
Read more... [6/11/07]
-
PRESIDENT SIGNS
BILL
INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE
President Bush has signed the Fair Minimum Wage
Act of 2007 which means the current minimum
wage of $5.15 an hour will rise to $5.85 an hour
within 60 days, to $6.55 an hour in 2008, and to
$7.25 an hour by 2009. New posters will be
required by July 24, 2007. Once the new poster is
released, it will be available to download and
print, free of charge, in the Poster
section. [5/30/07] Top
-
CONGRESS APPROVES MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
The first increase in the federal minimum wage in
nearly a decade was approved by Congress on
Thursday, May 24, 2007. The legislation (Fair
Minimum Wage Act of 2007) is part of an Iraq
war funding bill, and the President is expected to
quickly sign the bill into law.
Read more... [5/25/07] -
TWC RECOVERS MILLIONS IN UNPAID UI TAXES AND SUTA DUMPING
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently
announced that in calendar year 2006, it recovered
$32 million in unpaid unemployment insurance (UI)
taxes, representing a 12.4 percent increase in
collections from 2005.
Read
more... [5/17/07]
-
USE CURRENT
FORM I-9
UNTIL REPLACEMENT IS RELEASED
We have been receiving many inquiries regarding a
revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility
Verification.
Read more...
[5/16/07] Top
-
DOL PROPOSES NEW CHILD LABOR REGULATIONS
On April 17, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, in which
the department outlined proposed revisions to the
child labor regulations under the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA).
Read more...
[5/7/07] -
AGREEMENT REACHED ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
Congressional leaders in the House and Senate have
agreed on a package of small business tax
incentives that should allow passage of the
federal minimum wage bill.
Read more... [4/25/07]
-
EEOC SETTLES SEX BIAS CASE FOR $2.3 MILLION
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
announced that it has resolved its lawsuit
charging that an Ohio car dealership discriminated
against a class of qualified women on the basis of
sex by refusing to hire them for automobile sales
positions.
Read more... [4/16/07] Top
-
OSHA TOP 10 SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOR 2006
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
recently released the “top 10” most frequently
cited violations in fiscal year 2006.
Read
more... [3/27/07] -
NEW LEGISLATION PROPOSES PAID SICK LEAVE
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions recently heard testimony (2-13-07) on
the proposed Healthy Families Act (HFA), a
bill that would guarantee employees seven days of
paid sick leave per year.
Read
more... [3/26/07]
-
U.S. BUSINESSES NOT PREPARED FOR AGING WORKFORCE
More than one-fourth of
U.S.
businesses are not prepared for the changes in the
American workforce as a record number of aging
employees retire, according to the results of a
new national survey by researchers at Boston
College.
Read more... [3/22/07] Top
-
NEW EEOC PUBLICATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF HEALTH
CARE WORKERS
A new fact sheet released by the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) focuses
on the application of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) to employees and job
applicants in the health care industry.
Read more... [3/19/07] -
WALGREENS SUED FOR
JOB BIAS
AGAINST BLACKS
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has filed an employment discrimination class
lawsuit against Walgreen Co., the Illinois-based
national drugstore chain, alleging widespread
racial bias against thousands of African-American
workers.
Read more...
[3/09/07]
-
EEOC:
JOB
DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS UP IN 2006
Job discrimination complaints filed with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rose in
2006 for the first time in four years. A recent
report by the EEOC revealed that complaints
increased to 75,768 during Fiscal Year 2006 from
75,428 the previous year.
Read more... [2/23/07] Top
-
DOL UNVEILS NEW GUIDANCE ON PREPARING WORKPLACES FOR FLU PANDEMIC
The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) recently unveiled new
workplace safety and health guidance that will
help employers prepare for an influenza pandemic.
Read more... [2/22/07] -
OSHA RELEASES
NEW POSTER;
REPLACEMENT NOT REQUIRED
On February 12, 2007, the Department of Labor's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
announced the release of its new "It's The Law"
poster.
Read more... [2/21/07]
-
EMPLOYER TO PAY $225,000 IN SAME-SEX HARASSMENT
CASE
In a rare same-sex harassment case, a federal
jury has returned a $225,000 verdict against
Hill Brothers Construction Company and
Engineering Company, Inc. (Hill Brothers). The
lawsuit was brought by the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of male
employees who were sexually harassed by other
men.
Read more... [2/16/07] Top
-
NEW POSTING REQUIREMENT FOR
TEXAS
EMPLOYERS
All Texas employers who participate in the
workers’ compensation program must post a new
notice to employees about the Ombudsman Program.
Read
more... [2/5/07] -
TWC CLARIFIES THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND EMPLOYEE
In an effort to eliminate confusion and to
better define the term “contract labor,” the
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently
clarified the distinction between independent
contractors and employees.
Read more...
[1/16/07]
-
OSHA POSTING REMINDER
Employers with 11 or more employees, whose
businesses are subject to OSHA recordkeeping
requirements, must post OSHA Form 300A,
"Summary of
Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses,"
from February 1 through April 30.
Read more... [1/15/07] Top
-
MINIMUM WAGE BILL PASSES HOUSE; MOVES TO SENATE
On Wednesday, January 10, the
Democratic-controlled House of Representatives
overwhelmingly approved (315-116) a $2.10
increase in the federal minimum wage. Later
this week, the Senate version of the bill is set
to be introduced, where it is expected that
lawmakers will add millions in tax breaks for
small businesses.
Read more... [1/11/07] -
PAYROLL CHECKLIST FOR JANUARY 2007
As the current year draws to
a close and a new year
begins, employers have certain year-end payroll
obligations as well as new payroll information
to consider for 2007. Employers may also want to
notify employees of their obligations...
Read more...
[12/20/06]
-
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES TAXABLE
WAGE BASE FOR 2007
The Social Security Administration (SSA)
recently announced upcoming changes in benefits
and taxable wages for 2007.
Read more...
[12/19/06] Top
-
HO-HO-HO: POSTER VENDORS
AND A BIG
BAG OF SCARE TACTICS
Once again, we are getting lots of calls from
our subscribers who tell us they are receiving
an onslaught of alarming notices from Poster
Vendors (PVs). As the year draws to a close, it
is a good time to remind our members that the
goal of most of these PVs is to turn a hefty
profit by selling employers a new set of
employment posters each and every
year. Read
more...
[12/15/06] -
NEW WEB ADDRESS FOR ONLINE REPORTING OF
NEW HIRES
The website address has changed for online
reporting of newly-hired employees. The previous
address, www.newhire.org/tx, is no longer
working. The new
location has moved to...
Read more....
[11/17/06]
-
IRS
RELEASES MILEAGE RATES FOR 2007
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued
the 2007 optional standard mileage rates used to
calculate the deductible costs of operating an
automobile for business, charitable, medical or
moving purposes.
Read more...
[11/9/06] Top
-
NLRB RULING DEFINES "SUPERVISORY STATUS" FOR RNs
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has
issued a ruling setting forth guidelines for
determining whether an individual is a
“supervisor” under the National Labor Relations
Act (NLRA). The 3-2 decision, released on
October 3, 2006, held that permanent charge
nurses at hospitals should be categorized as
supervisors.
Read more...
[10/17/06] -
BLS REPORT ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS IN PRIVATE SECTOR
A recently released report by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) found that 71 percent of workers in
private industry had access to
employer-sponsored medical care plans, and 52
percent participated in medical care plans in
March 2006.
Read more...
[10/11/06]
-
LOAN COMPANY ORDERED TO REPAY WORKERS $500,000
IN BACK WAGES
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently
announced that Q.C. Financial, Inc., a payday
loan establishment that operates under the name
“Quick Cash” has paid $519,088 in back wages to
900 employees.
Read more...
[9/5/06] Top
-
FBI AND HOMELAND SECURITY OFFER TIPS ON WORKPLACE SAFETY
The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security
recently launched a jointly-produced poster
campaign aimed at improving both physical and
cyber security in the private and federal
workplaces.
Read more...
[9/1/06] -
REWARDS FOR JOB CREATION PART OF NEW TAX
STRUCTURE
Rewards to employers who create more jobs and
for those who provide health care, pensions and
other benefits for their employees are part of
the new tax plan (House Bill 3) which Governor
Perry signed into law on May 19,
2006. Read
more... [8/10/06]
-
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT UNIT
ENHANCES WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit
(ICE) is significantly enhancing its worksite
enforcement efforts as part of its interior
enforcement strategy.
Read more...
[8/4/06] Top
-
WORKINTEXAS.COM PUTS EMPLOYERS IN TOUCH WITH JOB
APPLICANTS
WorkinTexas.com,
a comprehensive, easy-to-use, free online
employment resource that matches Texas employers
of all sizes and types with qualified job
seekers, is beginning its third year of
operation
Read more...
[7/17/06] -
SUPREME
COURT SIDES WITH EMPLOYEES FOR ACTS OF
RETALIATION
In a unanimous decision announced June 22, 2006,
the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with employees
who file discrimination suits alleging
retaliation by employers. In so ruling, the
Court clarified the scope of the
anti-retaliation provision of Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Read more...
[7/13/06]
-
COURT RULES AGAINST ALAMO IN FIRST POST-9/11
BACKLASH DISCRIMINATION CASE
A federal judge has ruled against Alamo Rent a
Car in a case of religious discrimination. The
case was filed by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a
Muslim employee who was denied a workplace
accommodation for her sincerely held Islamic
beliefs and practices, and then discharged
shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Read more...
[6/28/06] Top
-
RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS RESULTS IN GROWING
ENROLLMENT IN CONSUMER-DIRECTED HEALTH PLANS
According to a new report issued by the U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO),
insurance carriers, employers, and individuals
are showing increasing interest in
consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs).
Read more...
[6/14/06] -
EEOC ISSUES NEW GUIDE TARGETING WORKPLACE BIAS
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) recently issued a new
compliance manual in an effort to clarify how
employers and employees should interpret
anti-discrimination laws founds in Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Read more...
[5/3/06]
-
DISCLOSURE OF
PHI UNDER
HIPAA PRIVACY RULES
The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS)
recently released new information to help
clarify the conditions under which health plan
sponsors can disclose protected health
information (PHI) under the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Read
more... [4/12/06] Top
-
EEOC WINS DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT
AGAINST FEDEX
On March 2, 2006, a federal jury found in favor of
the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
in its employment discrimination lawsuit against
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) for violating
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Read more...
[3/8/06] -
TEXAS POSTER CHANGES
The state of Texas has recently revised
several of its employment posters, including
Workers’ Compensation notices, the Texas Equal
Employment Opportunity poster, and the Texas
Child Labor poster. Previous versions should
be replaced with the new, updated posters.
Don't pay extra for your posters! Unlike the
infamous Poster Vendors who charge $$$
for these posters, subscribers can print these
posters for free simply by visiting the
Poster
section...
[3/7/06]
-
RETURN-TO-WORK PILOT
PROGRAM OFFERS REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SMALL
EMPLOYERS
Texas employers with 2 to 50 employees may be
eligible for up to $2,500 annually for the
costs of workplace modifications, equipment,
tools, furniture or devices, or other related
costs paid by the employer to bring an injured
employee back to work in a modified duty or
alternate duty capacity.
Read more...
[2/23/06] Top
-
OSHA LEVIES RECORD $21 MILLION FINE AFTER
PLANT EXPLOSION IN
TEXAS
CITY
OSHA has fined a company, BP Products North
America, more than $21 million in penalties
for safety and health violations following an
investigation of a fatal explosion at its
Texas City refinery in March 2005.
Read
more... [1/25/06] -
PAYROLL CHECKLIST FOR JANUARY 2006
Employers and employees have certain payroll
obligations as well as new payroll information
to consider at the beginning of the new year.
Read
more... [1/12/06]
- TEXAS IDENTITY THEFT
ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECTION ACT
The new Texas Identity Theft Enforcement
and Protection Act
requires all businesses to implement
and maintain reasonable security measures to
protect and safeguard sensitive personal
information, and to notify the owners of that
information of any security breaches.
Read more... [12/22/05]
Top
- POSTER VENDORS FLOOD
BUSINESSES WITH ALARMING NOTICES
It’s that time of
the year again. We have been receiving lots of
calls from our subscribers, and we have been
getting the same alarming notices in the mail.
The Poster Vendors (PVs) are out in full force
and once again sending a barrage of faxes,
e-mails, and direct mail notices in an attempt
to convince unsuspecting employers into buying
their products (e.g, Posters).
Read
more... [11/21/05] - ONLINE VERIFICATION OF
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
The Social Security
Number Verification Service (SSNVS) allows
employers to use an online program to match
their records of employee names and Social
Security numbers with Social Security records
before preparing and submitting W-2 Forms. Read
more... [11/18/05]
-
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES TAXABLE WAGE BASE FOR
2006
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently
announced upcoming changes in benefits and taxable
wages for 2006.
Read more...
[11/4/05] Top
-
DOL WEBSITE
ASSISTS HURRICANE VICTIMS IN LOCATING
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
SPONSORS
The U.S. Department of
Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
just launched a website providing
contact information on employee benefit plan sponsors
whose operations have been disrupted by
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Read
more.... [10/24/05] -
EEOC: FEDERAL
LAW PROTECTS THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE WITH THE DISABLED
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
has issued a
question-and-answer-style document about a little-known
but significant provision of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) that protects applicants and
employees from discrimination based on their association
with people with disabilities. Read
more... [10/20/05]
- DEADLINE
FOR VETS-100 REPORT IS SEPTEMBER 30
Federal
contractors or subcontractors who are
required to comply with the Veteran’s
Employment and Training Service (VETS)
reporting requirements should be aware that
the deadline to file the VETS-100 report is
September 30, 2005. Read
more... [9/19/05] Top
- DHS
SUSPENDS I-9 DOCUMENTATION FOR KATRINA
VICTIMS
The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
announced that it will not penalize
employers for hiring victims of Hurricane
Katrina who are unable to provide
documentation of their identity and work
authorization status as required for
completion of Form I-9. Read
more... [9/16/05] - IRS HIKES
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATES
On Friday,
September 9, 2005, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) announced an increase in the
mileage rate used to reimburse employees for
the use of vehicles on the job. Read
more...
[9/14/05]
- OFCCP TO
HEIGHTEN ENFORCEMENT OF BECK NOTICE
The U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced
that the Office of Contract Compliance
Programs (OFCCP) will begin stepping up its
efforts to enforce compliance with Executive
Order 13201 during complaint investigations
and compliance reviews. Read
more...
[9/6/05]
Top
- NEW
POSTING REQUIRED FOR RESTAURANT AND BAR
OWNERS
Effective
September 1, 2005, all Texas restaurant and
bar owners must post a sign warning wait
staff employees of criminal penalties for
identity theft. The new posting requirement
is a result of new legislation, House Bill
932, which was signed into law last May and
is designed to address identity theft and
the misuse of credit cards.
Read
more... [8/31/05] - FAILURE
TO POST EEOC NOTICE REVIVES DISCRIMINATION
CASE
A recent
court case illustrates yet another reason
why it is so important that employers post
all of the legally required employment
notices in the workplace. An appeals court
held that a discrimination lawsuit, which
had been dismissed by a lower court, could
move forward due to the employer's failure
to post the required federal Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
poster giving the employee notice of his
rights. Read
more... [8/24/05]
- EMPLOYER
HELD LIABLE FOR DISCHARGING RETURNING
VETERAN
A recent
decision by a federal court offers a
cautionary message to employers who must
increasingly accommodate veterans returning
from military service. The court ordered an
employer to pay... Read
more... [8/15/05]
Top
- U.S.
HOUSE PASSES BUSINESS-FRIENDLY OSHA BILLS
The U.S.
House of Representatives recently approved
legislation to make OSHA more
business-friendly. If approved by the Senate
and then enacted into law, the legislation
would.. Read
more...
[8/10/05] - EEOC
LAUNCHES NEW CALL CENTER
The Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),
which is the federal agency responsible for
enforcing the nation’s anti-discrimination
laws in the workplace, recently launched its
first nationwide call center to help respond
to the more than 1 million calls the agency
receives each year. Read
more...
[7/25/05]
- WARNING:
POSTER VENDOR SCARE TACTICS
Another
state has issued warnings about the
unscrupulous practices of poster
vendors. Read
more... [7/14/05] Top
- NEW FORM
I-9 RELEASED
On June 21,
2005, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) announced the release of a
revised Form I-9, the Employment Eligibility
Verification Form. The new form is dated
5/31/05. However, employers may use prior
editions of the Form I-9 until the end of
the year. Read
more... [7/5/05] - NEW LAW
AUTHORIZES ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE AND STORAGE
OF I-9'S
A new
federal law – now in effect - gives
employers greater options for streamlining
the I-9 employment verification
process. The new law, H.R. 4306,
allows employers to electronically complete,
sign and store Form I-9, the Employment
Eligibility Verification Form required by
the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Read
more... [6/15/05]
- NEW
LEGISLATION WOULD GUARANTEE PAID SICK LEAVE
A bill now
pending in Congress (S. 932, H.R. 1902)
would guarantee most employees seven paid
days of sick leave a year. Read
more... [6/13/05]
Top
- HEALTH
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which
became available in last year as part of the
Medicare reform law, are similar to Medical
Savings Accounts (MSAs) but are much less
restrictive. Read
more... [5/31/05] - NEW
DISPOSAL RULES FOR CONSUMER INFORMATION
The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued
new rules that require all employers to
properly dispose of and destroy consumer
information. Effective June 1, 2005,
any person who maintains or otherwise
possesses consumer information for a
business purpose must dispose of discarded
consumer information in such a way that it
cannot be accessed or used by others. Read
more... [5/16/05]
- WEB
PROGRAM FOR VERIFYING WORK ELIGIBILITY
The U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
has a voluntary, web-based program that
allows employers to use an automated system
to verify the employment authorization of
all newly hired employees. The "Basic
Pilot Program," which was originally
available in only five states, was recently
extended to all 50 states. Read
more... [4/27/05] Top
- USERRA POSTER NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has just
released a Spanish version of the newly
required USERRA poster. All employers must
display the new USERRA poster as of March
10, 2005, and employers that have Spanish
speaking employees should display the notice
in Spanish. Both the English and Spanish
versions of the USERRA poster may be
printed, free of charge, in the
Poster
section. [4/11/05] - NO CHANGE IN THE FEDERAL
MINIMUM WAGE
Last week the U. S. Senate rejected two
competing amendments to raise the minimum
wage. The first amendment, offered by
democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, would
have increased the minimum wage over a
period of two years from the current $5.15
an hour to $7.25 an hour. The second
amendment, offered by republican Senator
Rick Santorum, would have increased the
minimum wage to $6.25 over two years.
Neither amendment received support from the
opposing party, and both failed. As a
result, the federal minimum wage remains at
$5.15. [3/15/05]
- NEW USERRA POSTER NOW AVAILABLE
The new USERRA poster has been released and
is now available for printing in the
Posters
section. The new notice must
be posted wherever the employer posts other
required notices, beginning on March 10,
2005. Don't pay
extra for your posters! As
a paid subscriber to The Personnel
Advisor, you can print them for
free... [3/10/05]
Top
- USERRA
AMENDMENTS CREATES NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR
EMPLOYERS
The
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004
(VBIA), signed by President Bush on December
10, 2004, amends the Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
and creates new obligations for employers.
Read
more... [2/15/05] - OSHA
POSTING REMINDER
Employers with 11 or more employees must
post the OSHA 300A, Summary of Work-Related
Injuries and Illnesses, from February 1
through April 30. OSHA Form 300A is a
summary of the injuries and illnesses that
occurred during 2004, and is to be displayed
in a common area wherever notices to
employees are usually posted. The log must
be posted even if there are no injuries or
illnesses for the year recorded (Note:
employers with 10 or less employees are
generally exempt from this requirement as
are certain exempt
industries.) The OSHA Form
300A is available for printing in both the Posters
and Forms sections. [1/31/05]
- USCIS
DELAYS RELEASE OF NEW I-9 FORM
The new
Form I-9 has not been released, and,
according to the latest word from the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), it may not be released for another
year. Read
more... [1/27/05]
Top
- PAYROLL
CHECKLIST AND IRS MILEAGE RATES FOR 2005
As the new
year begins, employers have certain year-end
payroll obligations as well as new payroll
information to consider for 2005. Employers
may also want to notify employees of the |
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