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Showing posts for: Karen Davis

May 19 2016
Wage and Hour

ALERT: DOL reveals new salary level for salaried workers exempt from overtime

Today the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final regulations raising the minimum salary level for salaried workers to be exempt from overtime. The rules take effect on December 1, 2016. Here’s what you need to know: The minimum salary level for exempt executive, administrative, and professional employees will be $913 per week, or…

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Apr 07 2016
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

On-demand webcast on safety recordkeeping and reporting for Washington employers

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has posted an on-demand webcast explaining the requirements for recording and reporting work-related injuries and illnesses. The agency describes it as a “24-minute fun and entertaining ‘talk show format’ presentation.” The recording is available on the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)’s visual learning website, www.EyeOnSafety.info,…

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Mar 24 2016
Labor Relations

ALERT: DOL persuader rule expands requirements to report help from labor consultants

A revised regulation from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will require employers to file electronic reports detailing all activities in which they use a consultant to persuade employees regarding their rights to organize and bargain collectively. The reports will be publicly accessible online, and must include specific information about the projects, organizations, people, and…

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Mar 11 2016
Harassment & DiscriminationQ&A

Using prior salary to set new hire salary raises EEO concerns

Answer: Yes, such a practice may perpetuate existing discrimination in wages. The U.S. Department of Labor has made pay equity one of its top enforcement priorities. Under the slogan, “Equal Pay for Equal Work,” the agency has established a pay equity web page highlighting statistics that women earn 78 cents on the dollar compared to…

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Mar 08 2016
Q&AWage and Hour

Requiring reimbursement of training costs can be tricky

Answer: Maybe, but use caution. First, we advise that you check your state laws on payroll deductions. Most states don’t allow payroll deductions under these circumstances, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to recoup your costs by deducting money from a departing employee’s final paycheck. See our Legal Guide, “Payroll Deductions,” for information on this…

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Feb 18 2016
Wage and Hour

EEOC proposes to add pay and hours to EEO-1 Report requirements

A proposed expansion of the EEO-1 Report would require all private employers with at least 100 employees to provide data on compensation and hours worked. For many years, employers with at least 100 workers (or 50 workers and $50,000 in federal contracts) have been required to submit EEO-1 Reports by September 30 each year. These…

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Dec 18 2015
Leave LawsOregon

Final Oregon paid sick leave rules and notices have been published

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently published final rules on the new Oregon paid sick leave law, which takes effect on January 1, 2016. Unfortunately, the agency failed to answer a number of fundamental questions, despite repeated requests from Vigilant and other employer representatives. Here are some key points: No guidance on…

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Dec 08 2015
Labor Relations

NLRB says staffing agency employees can bargain with client employer

In a ground-breaking decision, the National Labor Relations Board expanded its definition of a “joint employer” and ruled that temporary staffing agency workers had the right to form a union and bargain not only with their agency employer but also with their on-site client employer. In this case, a recycling company used its own union-represented…

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Nov 24 2015
Labor Relations

Employee posting of disciplinary warning protected

An employer acted illegally when it ordered a worker to remove from his cubicle a copy of a disciplinary warning that he had received, ruled the National Labor Relations Board. The employee had been written up for being insubordinate when he refused to put away his tablet during a meeting. He filed a grievance over…

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Oct 21 2015
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington Employers: Safety & health poster has been updated

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is mailing an updated version of its mandatory safety and health poster to employers. The date shown in the bottom right-hand corner is “09/15.” You may also download an online copy. It must be displayed where employees can see it. For information about federal and state poster…

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Oct 15 2015
CaliforniaHarassment & DiscriminationLabor Relations

California Employers: More 2015 bills signed

Governor Jerry Brown has signed more bills from the 2015 California legislative session that affect employers, some of which are extremely significant. Unless otherwise indicated, these bills take effect on January 1, 2016. SB 358: The California Fair Pay Act dramatically expands the ability of workers to sue for sex discrimination in payment of wages….

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Sep 24 2015
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

WASHINGTON: L&I proposes 2016 workers’ comp rate increase

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has just announced a proposed 2% average base rate increase for 2016 workers’ compensation coverage. Proposed rates are based on several factors, including expected claim costs, the size of the contingency fund, and the inflation of wages. Of note, companies involved in miscellaneous wood products manufacturing…

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