The Florida Minimum Wage will increase by 6 cents effective June 1, 2011. Florida law requires that the Agency for Workforce Innovation calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate each year. The annual calculation is based on the percentage change in the federal Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers in the South Read more
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Staub v. Proctor Hospital, No. 09-400, U.S. Supreme Court (March 1, 2011), a USERRA case that should concern all employers, their managers, and HR professionals alike. USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act) prohibits employment discrimination against a person on the basis of past military service, current military Read more
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a nationwide outreach campaign to raise awareness among employers and workers to educate them on the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather. US DOL Secretary Solis says, “If you’re working outdoors, you’re at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even Read more
With summer on the horizon, young workers will be entering the workforce at different ages, with different levels of experience. Employers are therefore encouraged to review applicable child labor laws, including the occupational restrictions that apply to jobs they offer to youths, and plan age and job-appropriate training. They should also expect that young workers Read more
The Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, signed an ordinance that soon will prohibit employers from requiring job applicants to disclose their criminal backgrounds until after the first employment interview. Under the new chapter entitled “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards”, employers are able to perform a background check or request the disclosure of an applicant’s criminal Read more
Foodborne illness is a serious concern especially for the restaurant and food service industry. Although foodborne illnesses can be extremely harmful, many people who contract such an illness do not seek medical attention. Therefore they are not tested and cases of foodborne illness go undiagnosed. It happens quickly; microbes or toxins are swallowed and enter Read more
Three more states, Illinois, Hawaii, and Delaware, have passed new laws that recognize civil unions. These new laws extend all the same legal rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners of a civil union. Many of those benefits and protections arise under labor and employment laws. Therefore, Illinois, Hawaii, and Delaware Read more
British Columbia and Quebec will both see increases their minimum wage rates beginning May 1, 2011. British Columbia (BC), which went from having Canada’s highest minimum wage in 2001 to having the lowest minimum wage by 2009, will finally see a gradual increase in its minimum wage rate starting May 1, 2011, when it will Read more
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates state laws, such as California AB 1825, and the federal Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964. Laws that prohibit sexual harassment are designed to protect the employee, employer, co-workers and customers. The victim or harasser can be male or female and can be of Read more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that it is taking the first step towards conducting surveys regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Given changes in current economic conditions, the surveys are designed to update and expand the DOL’s knowledge about FMLA leave-taking and close current data gaps remaining from previously conducted Read more
