Labor Law Updates

Keeping you current on the ever changing labor laws

Updated Fact Sheets for Injured Workers Now Available From the California DWC The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has created a series of updated fact sheets for injured workers. The fact sheets are available in “text only” versions on their website. The text only versions make it possible for claim administrators to incorporate updated Read more

Latest Figures Released for Consumer Price Index Rates The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 0.1 percent in November 2010. This figure was just released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Indexes for food and energy slightly increased in November 2010 and indexes for food at home also rose in November Read more

The District of Columbia has issued new final regulations for the District’s Family and Medical Leave Act (DC FMLA, D.C. Official Code 32-501 et seq.), effective November 19, 2010. While many provisions of the rules are not new and were included in the Act and in prior regulations, there is new material of which employers Read more

Illinois Governor to Sign Civil Unions Bill Giving Same-sex Couples Additional Benefits & Protections During the Illinois legislature’s fall 2010 veto session, lawmakers passed the historic “Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act” (IL S 1716). The bill defines “civil union” as a legal relationship between 2 persons of either the same or opposite Read more

Massachusetts’ Governor Signs CORI Reform Law Massachusetts’ Governor Deval Patrick signed a law preventing employers from seeking disclosure of job applicants’ criminal record information prior to the interview stage of the hiring process. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has enforcement authority over the existing Criminal Records Statute, G.L. c 151B, Section 4 (9). Under the Read more

The California Employers Guide, DE 44 Has Been Updated for 2011 2011 changes for employers in California include: Expanded e-Services for Businesses- Now employers will be able to view and manage their own employer tax account, file most reports, and provide payment options for tax deposits, liabilities and much more. For more information go to Read more

IRS Releases 2011 Standard Mileage Rates The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued the 2011 optional standard mileage rates. Businesses utilize these rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. January 1, 2011 the standard rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or Read more

What is GINA?Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which took effect November 21, 2009, prohibits the use of genetic information in making employment decisions, restricts employers from requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information, and strictly limits the disclosure of genetic information. Title II applies to private and state and local government employers Read more

Federal Form 3 “Notice to Employees” Required for Radiological Working ConditionsNRC Form 3, ‘Notice to Employees” (CPC Poster #74216) is the mandatory federal radiation notice that must be posted in facilities licensed or regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In addition, state facilities and activities that possess a license from the applicable state Read more

The New York State Department of Labor Launches Green Survey, Mailers Sent Out The New York State Department of Labor has sent out surveys in the mail to estimate the number of green jobs in the state and determine the skills workers need in order to accomplish these jobs. This research project was made possible Read more