The Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) has updated the state Unemployment Insurance labor law posting. The update includes new claims process and benefits payment information. The notice explains: additional online and in-person claim filing options creating an online account with a valid email address benefits payments must received by direct deposit. For Read more
In the next six months, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be encouraging stakeholders such as businesses to provide information that could help reduce hazardous chemical exposures in the workplace. OSHA’s current permissible exposure limits (PELs) for chemicals has not been updated since their adoption in 1971 due to the long process to Read more
Some employers and their workers might find it surprising to learn that in most states unpaid interns, unpaid trainees and volunteers are not covered by state harassment and employment discrimination laws. This exclusion is slowly changing. Protected Status California recently became the fourth state to pass a law (CA AB 1443) that protects unpaid interns, Read more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued final regulations implementing the provisions of Executive Order 13658 that raises the minimum wage federal contractors are required to pay workers on covered contracts. Specifically, the Executive Order: raises the minimum wage for workers on federal service and construction contracts to $10.10 per hour beginning January 1, Read more
Employers are increasingly using sub-contractors, temporary staffing, leased employees and independent contractors to supplement or, sometimes, replace their regular workforce. This workforce is especially attractive in California where labor costs run high. Until now, using a “labor contractor” to supply California workers for a “client employer” usually protected such employers from liability for the payment Read more
Ohio minimum wage workers will soon see a boost in their paychecks. Effective January 1, 2015, the minimum wage rate for most workers will increase from $7.95 per hour to $8.10 per hour. The minimum wage rate for tipped employees will increase from $3.98 to $4.05 per hour. Although the state minimum wage applies to Read more
Montanans earning minimum wage will see an increase in their pay from the current rate of $7.90 per hour to $8.05 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015. State law requires the minimum wage rate to be adjusted each year for inflation. The minimum wage increase will have the greatest impact on the accommodations and food Read more
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has announced its annual proposed state minimum wage rate for 2015. Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 31 establishes a minimum wage rate of $8.23 per hour, and $5.21 per hour for employees who regularly receive tips, effective January 1, 2015. The Colorado Constitution requires the state to adjust Read more
Employment Discrimination The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) has released new mandatory state and county labor law posting requirements. The state’s Employment Discrimination is Unlawful posting has been updated to include two new protected categories: “Ancestry” and “Gender Identity.” Ancestry compliments the category of “National Origin,” and “Gender Identity” was added by Read more
Earlier this month, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) issued a Proposed Rule barring federal contractors and subcontractors from taking adverse action against employees and applicants who discuss their pay. Specifically, the rule would prohibit federal contractors from discharging or discriminating in any way against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or Read more
