Congress recently passed legislation amending the Americans with Disabilities Act, which will greatly expand the coverage of the Act. On Thursday December 4, 2008, McNees Wallace & Nurick will host a 45 minute webinar to discuss these new changes to the ADA and what employers should know before the amendments take effect on January
Another Headache for HR in 2009: Twenty-Seven Bi-Weekly Paydays
As if HR didn’t have enough on its plate with E-Verify compliance, new FMLA regs, and EFCA planning, next year is one of those strange years with 27 bi-weekly paydays instead of 26. Bi-weekly pay programs pay employees in 14-day increments resulting in a 364 day annual pay cycle. Since there are either
Avoid Wage & Hour Problems from Year End Bonus Payments to Hourly Employees
Many employers traditionally provide year end bonuses and holiday gifts for their employees. Bonuses may be included in a nonexempt employee’s regular rate depending upon the manner in which the bonus is calculated and the company’s prior communication. Inclusion in the regular rate impacts overtime calculations and payments.
Bonuses paid to nonexempt employees are included in the
Nuts and Bolts of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and RESPECT
Basic Provisions: EFCA amends the NLRA to change the procedures for union certification and first contract negotiation. The primary components of the act are as follows:
- Allows NLRB certification of a relevant bargaining unit upon authorization card showing from 50% plus one of employees bypassing the NLRB-supervised secret ballot election.
- Mandates initial collective bargaining contract be
HR GENERALIST RESOURCES: Inclement weather policies in Pennsylvania
With the first measurable snowfall hitting many parts of Pennsylvania this week, it’s time to start thinking about inclement weather policies. Closing a business for any reason can have a dramatic impact on customers and employees. Many employers struggle with business closings and delays necessitated by inclement weather. Good communication and planning can help eleviate some of
Final FMLA Regulations issued with an Effective Date of January 16, 2009
The Department of Labor issued 762 pages of regulations covering the FMLA. . As expected, 2009 will be a busy year for Human Resources Professionals because of compliance and legislative changes. The following is a brief summary of the regulatory changes:
Military Caregiver Leave: Implements the expanded FMLA protections for family members caring for a covered
E-Verify Final Regulations Issued Requiring Government Contractors and Subcontractors to Verify Employment for New and Existing Employees who Perform Contract Work
Federal government contractors and subcontractors will be required to begin using the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify system starting Jan. 15, 2009 (now 5/21/09), to verify their employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council amended the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to
Will Your Employees be some of the 5 million Workers Unions expect to add to their Membership under the Employee Free Choice Act?
Change is coming to Washington and to America’s workplaces. President Elect Obama launched a new website Change.gov where he explains his labor agenda which included passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Obama Administration’s transition views are summarized at the Connecticut Employment Law Blog.
Unions are on board too. After their push for
Employer’s Strategic Planning for an Obama Administration
President-Elect Obama told his hometown crowd that "Change has come to America." Through his election speeches, website and co-sponsorship of Senate Bills there is a road map of what changes will likely be coming to the American workplace.
Employers would be well served by examining the impact of likely legislation on their business
Injunction “No-Match” for DHS Rulemaking
On October 23, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an advance copy of its supplemental final no-match safe harbor regulation initially issued in August 2007. The original regulation was set to take effect in September 2007 but was enjoined by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The revised regulation is