Illinois is cracking down on employers in the construction industry that misclassify workers. Employee misclassification laws are aimed at employers that misclassify workers as independent contractors in an attempt to avoid paying payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation premiums and overtime payments. Two new Illinois laws expand employer liability and increase reporting requirements. The Read more
Rhode Island’s governor recently signed the Temporary Caregiver Insurance Program (TCI) into law. This makes Rhode Island the third state to adopt paid family leave insurance, behind California and New Jersey. TCI, which is effective January 1, 2014, expands the state temporary disability insurance program to provide wage replacement benefits to workers who take time Read more
In order to counter a $2 billion campaign in advertisements and promotions for alcoholic beverages, health and public safety advocates have tried to promote balanced information about these substances. These efforts include a successful campaign that called for container warnings, as well as proposals for health and safety messages in advertisements. States like Florida require Read more
Move over Connecticut, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle and Portland Oregon…New York City passes controversial Earned Sick Time Act. The intent behind the NYC Paid Sick Leave legislation encompasses workers needs for time off from work to take care of their health needs or the health needs of family members. Therefore, paid sick leave encourages Read more
North Carolina has released a new unemployment insurance workplace posting. Employers covered by the Employment Security Law of North Carolina are required to post the “Certificate of Coverage and Notice to Workers as to Benefit Rights.” The notice describes workers’ rights in the event of partial unemployment or job loss. An employee whose work hours Read more
Beginning Nov. 1, 2013, the City of Seattle will limit employers’ ability to use criminal history information in hiring and employment decisions. Key provisions of a new ordinance (No. 124201) include: Initial screening: During the initial screening process, employers cannot perform a criminal background check or ask about an applicant’s criminal history, even on a Read more
If a day and temporary labor services agency (now referred to as agency) agrees to send a person or group to work as a day or temporary laborer (worker), the agency is required to provide each worker with a statement containing the following list of items on a form: worker’s name, type of work being Read more
Exposure to infectious blood and other body fluids occurs across a wide range of occupations, from healthcare to public safety settings. Workers exposed to blood through needlestick and other sharps injuries are a primary concern and can be mitigated through proper engineering controls, work practices, training and training reinforcement. As defined in OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Read more
Compliance Poster Company’s Legal Research & Compliance Department has developed a new product. The Occupational Hearing Loss Poster Chart assists employers with their responsibility to protect workers from occupational hearing loss caused from prolonged exposure to loud vibration or sound. The quick reference guide illustrates common sounds and where they fall on a “hearing spectrum” Read more
Currently, individuals who have valid Oklahoma handgun licenses have the right to carry a handgun, concealed or unconcealed (“open carry”), in many public locations. However, property owners, employers or business entities can choose not to allow firearms or weapons without having to post a sign forbidding them. Come November 1, 2013, the sign requirement will Read more
