Tag: news

Employers await effects of Executive Order on immigration

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 […]

Survey Says: Train Employees to Protect Company Data

  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 […]

Rochester ban-the-box law to take effect November 18

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 […]

It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like … Holiday Travel. Are Your Employees Prepared to Do So Safely?

  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 […]

New circuit ruling complicates same-sex marriage issue

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 […]

New Massachusetts law requires paid sick leave

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 […]

Oregon employers shouldn’t freak out over new marijuana law

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 […]

Comment period for rule on federal contractor compensation data extended

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has extended the comment period for a proposed rule that would require federal contractors and subcontractors to submit an annual equal pay report to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The 60-day extension means comments must be submitted by January 5, 2015. Interested parties can read and […]

Voters in four states to decide on minimum wage hikes

Voters in four states—Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota—will decide on minimum wage increases when they go to the polls on November 4, and Illinois voters will make their opinion on the issue known in a nonbinding vote. Information on state ballot measures from Ballotpedia indicates: Voters will decide whether to increase Alaska’s minimum wage from […]