The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced yesterday that it is extending to April 30, 2012, the public comment period on its proposed rule to carry out changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA was amended in recent years to expand military family leave provisions and incorporate a special eligibility provision Read more
HIOSH (Hawaii Occupational Safety & Health Division) returned to federal OSHA the job of conducting safety and health inspections of private-sector employers within the borders of all military installations in Hawaii. The change in federal enforcement was made at the request of the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. In a final rule effective Read more
The EEOC has revised its rule on the “reasonable factors other than age” (RFOA) defense to “disparate impact” discrimination claims under the ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967). The ADEA prohibits employment discrimination against people who are 40 years of age or older. In the context of the ADEA, disparate impact discrimination is Read more
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a memo this March to guide field compliance officers and whistleblower investigative staff regarding employer practices that may discourage employee reports of injuries and violate whistleblower statutes. Specifically, the memo reminds OSHA enforcement officials that reporting a work-related injury or illness is a core employee right. Read more
Nevada’s Labor Commissioner released the annual bulletins for the state’s minimum wage and daily overtime rates that will take effect July, 2012. The rates will remain unchanged from last year. The minimum wage for employees who receive qualified health benefits from their employers will remain at $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage rate for employees Read more
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline is designed to receive reports from employees and the public regarding misconduct affecting the programs and operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Examples of allegations that should be reported to the OIG include: Employee corruption involving bribery, embezzlement, espionage and smuggling DHS program fraud and/or Read more
Compliance Poster Company has created new Indiana Smoking is Prohibited entrance signs as required by the state’s new non smoking law. The new law prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, in certain state vehicles and within 8 feet of a public entrance to a public place or place of employment effective July 1, Read more
The US Department of Labor’s (DOL) challenge winning smartphone app, Eat. Shop. Sleep., is one way the DOL is sharing information with the public. Last July, the DOL launched its mobile app challenge, “informAction”, on the US Government’s website Challenge.gov. Challenge.gov is a crowd sourcing website set up so that the public and government can Read more
OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires all employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace to have a written hazard communication program. This includes labels, safety data sheets, and employee information and training. Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard: Chemicals will be classified according to their health and physical hazards. Labels will have a Read more
POOL LIFTS In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made major changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility regulations. The 2010 Standards went into effect in 2011. However, the DOJ recently clarified lift standards for pools open to the public. Under the new rules, hotels, motels, inns, and other public accommodations with Read more
