Twice a year, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) releases its regulatory agenda indicating its rulemaking and enforcement priorities for the coming one-year period. This spring, the DOL announced that it will pay particular attention to Wage and Hour Division regulations. The proposed rulemaking activity will impact employers across all industries. Among the proposed changes, Read more
Many small businesses rely on independent contractors for their staffing needs, but doing so raises special concerns. Independent contractors, by definition, are self-employed and because they are not employees, independent contractors are not covered by employment, labor, and related tax laws. There are many benefits to hiring independent contractors such as savings in labor costs, Read more
As you may already know – many provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) are intended to expand access to affordable health care coverage nationwide. These include provisions for coverage to be offered through a Health Insurance Marketplace, assistance for purchasing coverage through premium tax credits, employer notice requirements which Read more
If U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has his way, America’s minimum wage workers will soon get a raise. The Chicago Democrat has written a bill that would increase the federal minimum wage rate to $10 per hour. According to Jackson, he will formally introduce the bill on Wednesday. America’s federal minimum wage rate has sat Read more
