The US Department of Labor (DOL) has announced an increase in the minimum wage rate for workers on federal construction and service contracts effective January 1, 2016. The minimum wage rate will increase from the current rate of $10.10 per hour to $10.15 per hour. The minimum cash wage for tipped workers will increase from Read more
On July 29, 2015, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a proposed rule to clarify that employers have a continuing obligation to make and maintain accurate records of work-related recordable injuries and illnesses. This position makes it an ongoing violation each day an employer fails to make or keep required records for up Read more
Last January 1, Illinois’ Pregnancy Accommodation Act, also known as the “Pregnancy Fairness Act”, went into effect protecting pregnant workers from employment discrimination and requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees, and job applicants, for conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. New administrative rules implementing Read more
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Labor Cabinet just announced that it will be holding free informational and training courses in the month of July. Courses will be held at the Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Gilbertsville from July 13 to July 16. The goal is to encourage a safe workplace by offering free safety Read more
Starting January 1, 2016, Rhode Island minimum wage employees will soon see a boost in their paychecks. On June 17, 2015, Governor Gina M. Raimondo signed bill H 5079, approving a minimum wage rate increase. The minimum wage rate will increase from $9.00 per hour to $9.60 per hour beginning on January 1, 2016. Read more
This year, San Francisco, California is making headlines for increasing the minimum wage rate twice in one year. The first increase went into effect January 1, 2015 and raised the minimum wage to $11.05 per hour. The next increase takes effect May 1, 2015 when the minimum wage rate will bump up to $12.25 per Read more
Starting April 1, 2015, the minimum wage rate in Nova Scotia will increase to $10.60 per hour. The minimum wage rate for inexperienced workers will increase to $10.10 per hour. The increase is based on a two percent increase in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2014. There are a growing number of provinces Read more
Last week, President Obama signed a memorandum directing the US Secretary of Labor to begin the process of updating the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime rules to better fit today’s economy. Under the FLSA, workers who are paid hourly wages or who earn below a certain salary threshold are generally protected by minimum wage Read more
An alliance between Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the Michigan Laborers’ Training and Apprenticeship (MLTAI) was first formed in 2011. The goal of the formal alliance was to provide its members with information regarding workplace health and safety. The alliance currently focuses on individuals who work on energy distribution, renewable energy, home Read more
To ensure and promote workplace safety, the Maine Department of Labor is offering once again free safety classes in the month of March. The courses will be held at the SafetyWorks! Training Institution in Augusta. According to SafetyWorks! the program trains approximately 8,000 individuals annually. The program which provides consultation and enforcement services, is offering Read more
