Tennessee’s 2014 legislative session has ended with a couple of bills that require mention. Employers need to know about the “Employee Online Privacy Act of 2014” and the “Healthy Workplace Act”. Tennessee Employee Online Privacy Act of 2014 This law becomes effective January 1, 2015 and essentially stipulates what an employer can and cannot request Read more
Restaurant employers have a unique opportunity to develop safe work habits in young workers and enhance the culture of safety in the food service industry. Workers in the fast-paced food service industry frequently encounter hazards such as sharp knives, hot liquids and heavy trays. Inexperience and eagerness can make young workers particularly vulnerable to injury. Read more
Recently Connecticut’s governor signed into law the “Act Creating Parity between Paid Sick Leave Benefits and Other Employer-Provided Benefits”, effective January 1, 2015. Public Act 14-128 amends the existing Connecticut Paid Sick Leave law in a couple of significant ways. First, under existing law, each employer must provide paid sick leave annually to each of Read more
Employers should periodically conduct internal audits of their Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policies and practices to ensure they are legally compliant. It is especially important now because the US Department of Labor FMLA enforcement branch has renewed its emphasis on conducting on-site FMLA compliance investigations. Three essential components of an internal audit are: Read more
On April 9, 2011 the New York Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) took effect. Provisions of the law require employers to give written notice of wage rates to each new hire and to ALL employees annually by February 1 each year. The annual notice portion of the law was not well received by employers because Read more
In 2013, Rhode Island’s governor signed legislation regarding Fair Employment Practices, expanding protections afforded applicants. State law prohibits employers from asking applicants about arrest records, and makes it unlawful to ask about convictions until at or after a first interview (with certain exceptions). The law is now effective and the protections have been added to Read more
Under three new initiatives, workers in Alberta, Canada will be taking home more pay, be better able to care for ill family members, and develop a better understanding of their workplace rights. Minimum Wage Minimum wage earners in Alberta will get a raise on September 1, 2014, when the province’s two minimum wage rates increase Read more
Under The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) eligible employees of covered employers are entitled to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. This includes certain military family leave provisions which are also outlined under the Act. The Department of Labor is getting close to publishing a Notice of Proposed Rule-making (NPRM) Read more
This month, Louisiana Economic Development launches the Louisiana Job Connection, a new, free website designed to meet the increasing talent demands of Louisiana employers with the skills of job seekers. The website promises an accelerated job/applicant search process saving employers and prospective employees time and money, reducing unemployment, increasing productivity and expanding sales for small Read more
Twice a year, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) releases its regulatory agenda indicating its rulemaking and enforcement priorities for the coming one-year period. This spring, the DOL announced that it will pay particular attention to Wage and Hour Division regulations. The proposed rulemaking activity will impact employers across all industries. Among the proposed changes, Read more
