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President Barack Obama’s Executive Order raising the minimum wage for federal contractors and subcontractors is set to take effect for all federal contracts beginning on or after January 1. Obama signed Executive Order 13658 on February 12. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the final rule implementing the order on October 1. The DOL […]
Insufficient training and a lack of training are two of the reasons that HR professionals cited when asked to identify obstacles that impede effective performance management in organizations, according to a recent survey. The survey, conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) in collaboration with the National Center for the Middle Market […]
While political wrangling over President Barack Obama’s newest Executive Order rages, employers need to understand the impact the immigration order will have on their workplaces. Obama announced what he’s calling the Immigration Accountability Executive Actions in an address November 20. A fact sheet from the White House says the order will “crack down on illegal […]
Almost one-third (31 percent) of U.S. employees are concerned about losing data at work, but many engage in activities that put company files at risk anyway. And more than one-third of those surveyed at companies with 101 to 500 employees admitted to engaging in risky behaviors when it comes to company data, according to […]
by Edward O. Sweeney Rochester, New York, will become the latest city to restrict employers’ ability to ask applicants about their criminal history when its ban-the-box ordinance takes effect November 18. Since many employers are hesitant to hire applicants with criminal histories, states and cities have begun passing laws that restrict employers from including a […]
The holidays are a prime travel time for many American workers—our romantic notions of “home for the holidays” and “I’ll be home for Christmas” are founded in a national holiday habit. But after the holidays, you’ll want your employees back on the job in solid physical shape. Give them these air travel tips to […]
The issue of how employers should handle same-sex marriage got a bit murkier November 6 as a divided appeals court panel broke with rulings from four other U.S. circuit courts of appeals by upholding state bans on same-sex marriage. A three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the 2-1 decision, which […]
Voters in Massachusetts approved a law in the November 4 election that requires certain employers to provide paid sick leave. The law takes effect July 1, 2015. Under the law, Massachusetts employers with at least 11 employees must provide paid sick leave. Employees will accrue paid sick leave beginning July 1, 2015, at the rate […]
by Calvin L. Keith On November 4, Oregon voters passed Initiative 91, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Oregon. With Oregon joining other states that have approved recreational marijuana use, Oregon employers may be wondering what the new law means for their drug policies. The short answer is not much. Initiative 91, which will take effect […]
by Tammy Binford Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota said yes to increasing their states’ minimum wages as they cast their ballots November 4. Illinois voters said the same thing in a nonbinding vote. Here’s a look at the new state minimum wages, according to Ballotpedia: Alaska: The state minimum wage will rise […]