Tag: news

Latest fast-food protests buoyed by NLRB, Obama stance

More fast-food protests are planned for September 4, with the latest round including homecare workers and possible civil disobedience. Fast-food and other low-wage workers have been staging periodic strikes and demonstrations since 2012 in hopes of increasing their hourly wage. In addition to expanding the type of workers represented, planners of the new protests have […]

Train Workers on How to Respond to Active Shooters in the Workplace

In 2013, two nurses at a Milwaukee hospital heard gunshots. Instead of taking cover, they ran toward the gunfire. Only when they spotted the armed man running at them did they turn and flee. A police officer cornered the gunman and restrained him with pepper spray. The gunman screamed: “I can’t see! I can’t see!” […]

Employers Increase Educational Requirements for New Hires

At many companies, an associate or bachelor’s degree is increasingly becoming the new high school diploma, according to a new CareerBuilder® survey, with about a third (30 percent) of responding companies saying they are hiring college-educated workers for jobs primarily held by high school grads. And 27 percent of employers say their educational requirements for […]

Drug-free healthcare facility law takes effect in New Hampshire

by Gregory L. Silverman A New Hampshire law taking effect August 25 requires healthcare employers to take action against substance abuse in their facilities. The new law requires all hospitals, home healthcare providers, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult daycare centers, birthing centers, dialysis centers, and […]

OFCCP updates guidance on gender identity and transgender discrimination

by Tammy Binford On August 19, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a new directive related to its decision to update its enforcement actions regarding gender identity and transgender discrimination. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it would update its enforcement protocols and guidance to reflect that the […]

Nebraskans to vote on minimum wage hike

by Bonnie Boryca After an attempt to pass a minimum wage increase in Nebraska came up short in this year’s legislative session, the issue is set to go to voters in the November election. The Nebraska secretary of state’s office has announced that it has verified enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot. […]

Going to the Dogs! Train Employees About Guide Dogs in the Workplace

Even the most well-intentioned employers cannot anticipate every potential workplace scenario and provide advance training on how to react in each situation. That’s why it is important to be aware of training-related issues that crop up at other workplaces and take proactive steps in response.Two recent complaints in New Jersey provide such a learning opportunity. […]

New Jersey joins states with ‘ban the box’ laws

by Jeffrey A. Gruen New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed the state’s “ban the box” legislation, meaning that most employers will be prohibited from asking applicants about their criminal histories until the conclusion of the first job interview. The legislature passed the Opportunity to Compete Act in June, and Christie signed it on August […]

San Francisco ‘ban the box’ ordinance starts August 13

by Andrew J. Sommer and Alka Ramchandani San Francisco’s new “ban the box” law, titled the Fair Chance Ordinance, will limit the timing and scope of inquiries into an applicant’s or employee’s criminal history when it takes effect August 13. In addition to banning inquiries into criminal history on job applications, the ordinance also places […]

The Gamification of Training

Gamification can help engage learners in training and help them retain information, complete training, and keep their skills current, says Steve Sims, chief design officer for Badgeville and founder of its Behavior Lab. “Gamification” is the application of technology through games and other mechanisms to “tap into motivation and get people to do things,” he […]