The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently announced that the total number of reported nonfatal, occupational injury and illness cases that required days away from work to recuperate decreased by 9% in 2009 for private industry, state and local government. BLS also reported that state and local government workers had much Read more
OSHA has withdrawn from review a proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on the employer injury and illness log. The decision was made because the agency found that it needed greater input from small businesses on the impact the proposal would have on them. The agencies outreach to small businesses will Read more
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act requires certain employers to prepare and maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Employers must record work-related injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 Log but post only the 300-A summary no later than February 1 of the year covered by the records and keep the posting in Read more
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has updated its list of state-mandated labor law posters with the release of the new 2011 Earned Income Credit (EIC) poster. Some of the important changes to the EIC notice Increase in Income Eligibility Limits Louisiana’s 2011 EIC notice reflects increases in the income levels for EIC eligibility in 2011. The Read more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has withdrawn its proposed interpretation titled, “Interpretation of OSHA’s Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise”, which was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2010. The intent of the interpretation was to clarify the term, “feasible administrative or engineering controls” that is used in Read more
Proposed Rule to Require Employers To Post the NLRA Rights Poster A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been submitted to the Federal Register by the National Labor Relations Board; a 60 day comment period applies. The proposed notice is similar to that of the NLRA poster already required to be posted for federal contractors. The Read more
Governor Paterson Signs Into Law The Wage Theft Prevention Act Governor Paterson signed into law a comprehensive bill, S 8380/A 11726, the Wage Theft Prevention Act. The bill addresses employer failure to pay mandatory minimum wages and overtime due to employees, thereby requiring annual notifications of wages, expanding notifications, strengthening available remedies for wage law Read more
Access to Education, Family & Community Programs to Address Exploitive Child Labor On December 15, 2010, the US DOL announced the award of $40 million in grants in 2010 to eliminate exploitive child labor in 12 countries. The grants will offer children access to educational and training alternatives, help improve the livelihoods of their households Read more
Effective May 1, 2011 Minimum Wage Rates in Quebec Canada Increase Workers in Quebec will see larger paychecks effective May 1, 2011 when the minimum wage rates increase. Currently the general and clothing industry rates are $9.50 per hour, and $8.25 per hour for employees receiving tips. May 1, the rates will be as follows: Read more
Compliance with FLSA and FMLA laws expected to catch greater scrutiny On December 13, 2010, the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced that it was teaming up with the American Bar Association (ABA) to provide an Attorney Referral System for workers who want to file claims for alleged violations of the Fair Labor Read more
