The Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces close to 200 federal laws. These laws cover the majority of workplace activities, businesses, applicants, workers, retirees and contractors. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – This law outlines standards for wages and overtime pay. For nonagricultural operations, it restricts youths working hours and types of jobs they Read more
Yesterday, the US Department of Labor (DOL) announced its notice of proposed rulemaking to raise the hourly minimum wage rate for employees of federal government contractors and subcontractors to $10.10 per hour beginning January 1, 2015. The proposed rule implements President Obama’s Executive Order 13658 establishing new minimum wage requirements for federal contractors. Under the Read more
California employers with one or more employees are required to distribute the Workers’ Compensation Pamphlet to all new employees at the time of hire, or no later than the end of the first pay period. This mandatory-to-distribute pamphlet has been updated. Employers must begin distributing the pamphlet on and after July 1, 2014. Updates are Read more
This week Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law legislation phasing in increases in the state’s minimum wage rate from the current $8.73 per hour to $10.50 per hour by 2018. The change is a much needed boost for minimum wage workers. Until now, Vermont’s minimum wage was tied to the Consumer Price Index and Read more
Removing barriers to employment for people with criminal records has been a topic highly debated and actively legislated. Twelve states and over 60 cities and counties currently embrace “Banning the Box”, which removes one question from hiring-related forms – the query about past criminal history. Back in 1998 Hawaii got the movement started by being Read more
Pregnancy Discrimination & Accommodation New Jersey recently enacted legislation prohibiting employers from discriminating against female employees on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The law also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to female employees affected by pregnancy or a related medical condition. Reasonable accommodation may include: bathroom breaks water breaks periodic Read more
This year more cities and counties are enacting minimum wage laws that promise a raise for local workers. Local minimum wage laws enacted this week are those for Seattle, WA, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Seattle, WA Signed into law on Monday, Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance is scheduled to make the city’s Read more
California has been a pioneer leading the nation in heat illness prevention standards. As a pioneer, it is important to make necessary updates with regard to worker safety. That’s just what’s on the horizon as California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) sends it proposal for updates to the Standards Board. With a heat Read more
As you may already know June is National Safety Month, so it comes as no surprise that Cal/OSHA is targeting construction sites for safety rules compliance. Specifically, Cal/OSHA is targeting construction sites in Northern California or more precisely San Francisco because of recent fatal accidents in the region. As discussed in a prior blog, it Read more
The US Department of Labor (DOL) oversees a variety programs and services that focus on preparing veterans and members of the military for meaningful civilian careers, maximizing their employment opportunities, and protecting their employment rights. The following describes some employment protections available to service members and veterans. Hiring Preference Under federal law, veterans who are Read more
