We are all familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration commonly referred to as OSHA. This federal agency is responsible for ensuring employers provide workers with a safe and healthful workplace. The agency is also charged with approving and monitoring State OSH plans. OSHA conducts inspections, often without advance notice, to ensure employers throughout Read more
Employers whose employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace must train their employees on OSHA’s new chemical label elements and new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format by December 1, 2013. The training requirement is the first compliance deadline for employers under OSHA’s 2012 revised Hazard Communication Standard, 29 C.F.R. 1910.1200. The Hazard Read more
Governor Jerry Brown was quite busy during the 2013 legislative session, signing roughly 800 bills into law. Many bills in the lengthy list of enacted legislation affect employers. One of the most highly publicized business interest defeats came when Brown signed a bill to raise California’s minimum wage from $8.00 to $10.00 per hour by Read more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a proposed rule that would require electronic submission of injury and illness information that employers are already required to keep under OSHA’s regulations for recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses. (29 CFR 1904). The purpose of this rulemaking is to improve tracking of workplace safety Read more
In accordance with CA Labor Code Section 515.5(a)(4), the director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently announced an adjustment to the computer software employee’s minimum hourly rate of pay exemption. The Office of Policy, Research and Legislation (OPRL) is responsible for determining the adjustments each October 1 with effective dates set for January Read more
As the cold weather months approach, employers face practical challenges in helping employees stay healthy and maintaining a safe workplace. To minimize the spread of germs and the flu, it’s important that employers take basic precautions and communicate good work practices to their employees. How should employers respond to a flu outbreak? Remind employees to Read more
The Missouri Department of Labor has announced the state minimum wage will increase by 15 cents from $7.35 per hour to $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2014. As dictated by Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 290, Section 502(2), the minimum wage increases or decreases on January 1 each year based on adjustments in the cost Read more
New Jersey voters have approved a constitutional amendment to raise the state minimum wage by $1, to $8.25 an hour. The new minimum wage rate goes into effect January 1, 2014. The amendment also establishes automatic cost-of-living adjustments to the minimum wage rate each year. Increases in the cost-of-living will result in an increase in Read more
New York City’s mayor has amended the Human Rights Law expanding protections against discrimination for pregnant employees. The amendment broadens pregnancy protections beyond accommodation as a disability. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee based on the needs of her pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition. The amendment is effective January 30, Read more
Vermont’s minimum wage workers will see an increase in their paychecks next year. The state has announced a 13-cent increase in the minimum wage rate. The rate is annually adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. New 2014 minimum wage rates: Minimum wage rates for non-tipped employees: $8.73 per hour. Basic minimum wage rate for Read more
