Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp  

Seattle employer fined $215,250 after employee injured by rotating shaft

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently fined Industrial Container Services $215,250 after one of its Seattle employees was injured by a rotating shaft while working in a confined space.

Affirmative Action  

Dexterity test and gender stereotyping result in $115,000 settlement

A dental equipment manufacturer in Huntsville, Alabama, has agreed to pay $115,000 to job applicants who were systematically excluded from jobs, according to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Injury reporting rules revised July 1, 2015

Employers in Washington must comply with new requirements for reporting serious injuries beginning July 1, 2015.

Alert: Supreme Court says states must grant and recognize same-sex marriage

The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all states, and that all states must recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in other states.

Leave Laws  

ALERT: Oregon Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Bill

Governor Kate Brown has officially signed into law Oregon’s paid sick leave bill (SB 454).

Harassment & DiscriminationHiring  

Alert: Request for religious accommodation not required, says Supreme Court

A Muslim woman who wore a head scarf when she applied for a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store didn’t have to specifically request a religious accommodation to the store’s “Look Policy,” ruled the U.S. Supreme Court.

Wage and Hour  

Waiver of 2nd meal period for shifts over 12 hours invalid in California

A California appeals court struck down an Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) order that allowed employees in the health care industry to waive a second meal period for shifts longer than 12 hours. California Labor Code 512(a) says employers generally must provide a second meal period for work periods of more than 10 hours, but employees may waive that second meal period if the employee doesn’t waive the first meal period and the total work period is 12 or fewer hours.

Disability  

Alert: Supreme Court says pregnancy accommodation may be required

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled UPS may have intentionally discriminated against a pregnant  driver when it denied her request for light duty during her pregnancy.

Employee BenefitsHealth Care Reform  

IRS gives small employers a break for paying individual health insurance premiums

Although the IRS has stated that reimbursing or paying the premiums for employees’ individual health insurance violates the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the agency is temporarily cutting some slack for small employers.

Safety and Health  

Revised OSHA reporting in effect; remember to display OSHA-300A summary Feb-April

As we previously reported, January 1, 2015, is the effective date for new rules requiring OSHA-covered employers to notify the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye within 24 hours of learning of a work-related injury.