DOL Proposes New Independent Contractor Classification Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to rescind and replace its 2021 independent contractor classification rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
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Are HR Compliance Requirements Increasing For Your Business? Work Smarter.
According to Ernst & Young’s Global Payroll Survey, keeping up with regulatory compliance changes was identified as the second-highest compliance challenge. But as your business grows, those compliance concerns you have today don’t go away — most often, they will multiply. Some of the biggest areas employers lose sight of as they grow include compliance with benefits […]
Learn MoreA Checklist for Completing Form 1-9
Download This Form I-9 Checklist Federal law requires employers to hire only individuals who may legally work in the United States—either U.S. citizens or authorized foreign nationals. To comply with the law, employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each individual they hire by completing and retaining the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form […]
Learn MoreProposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022
In its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is expected to address how to implement the exemption of executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) […]
Learn MoreEmployers See Increasing Numbers of Lawsuits Over Deficient COBRA Notices
Employers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) election notices, with statutory penalties of up $110 per person per day. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. The fact employers are struggling to comply with […]
Learn MoreDOL Issues Guidance on FMLA and Mental Health Conditions
The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released new resources on workers’ rights to leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for mental health conditions. In a press release, the DOL said the publication of the new guidance was in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month. […]
Learn MorePreparing For A Season of Temporary and Part-time Hiring
Don’t cut corners and skip employee background screening for seasonal and summer employees, even if you need to urgently fill a position.
Learn MoreEEOC and DOL Issue Guidance on Artificial Intelligence and ADA Disability Discrimination
On May 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) each issued new technical assistance documents about how employers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other software tools to make employment decisions may result in unlawful disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). EEOC Guidance The EEOC’s […]
Learn MoreCOBRA Confusion Continues to Challenge Employers
COBRA rules have changed over the past two years in order to recognize the complications accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting confusion can result in penalties, medical claims, litigation, and class-action lawsuits.
Learn MoreCOBRA’s ARPA Deadline September 30, 2021
The COBRA premium assistance provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is coming to an end. Learn more about the requirements and deadlines coming on September 30, 2021.
Learn MoreSmall Businesses Should Understand Form 5500
Understanding Form 5500 is important to businesses with retirement plans. Among the many fiduciary responsibilities that must be reported on the Form 5500, plan sponsors must deposit employees’ salary or wage deferrals into their accounts as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than the 15th business day of the month following the month in which […]
Learn MoreMental Health Awareness Month of May
May is Mental Health Awareness month and a good month to reflect on the needs of our employees from a mental standpoint. The past year has been hard on us in many ways, but it is important to acknowledge the challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on us mentally. Many employees may have psychiatric […]
Learn MoreUpdate: DOL Model Notices
DOL Issues Model Notices, FAQs for COBRA Subsidy in the ARPA On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA provides a 100% subsidy for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under COBRA and similar […]
Learn MoreFFCRA Questions Keep Coming
Though it seems that COVID-19 has been top of mind for such a long time, new questions and COVID-19 related scenarios in the workplace keep coming.
Learn MoreWhat Records To Keep – FFCRA
What records do I need to keep when my employee takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? Regardless of whether you grant or deny a request for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave, you must document the following: The name of your employee requesting leave; The date(s) for which […]
Learn MoreNY Federal Court Partially Vacates FFCRA Leave Regulations
In a case brought by the New York attorney general, a New York federal district court has vacated portions of regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
Learn MoreNew Q&As on COVID-19 Workplace Laws
DOL Releases More Q&As on Workplace Laws and COVID-19 Pandemic On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the agency’s publication of additional guidance on applying federal employment laws in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is in the form of questions and answers added to sets of Q&As the […]
Learn MoreCOVID-19: DOL Helpful FFCRA Tool
DOL Launches Employee Tool for Assessing FFCRA Leave Eligibility The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has created an online tool to help workers determine whether they qualify for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The tool works by posing a series of questions that […]
Learn MoreDOL Revises the Fluctuating Workweek Overtime Method
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that allows employers to pay bonuses or other incentive-based pay to salaried, nonexempt employees whose hours vary from week to week. The final rule clarifies that payments in addition to the fixed salary are compatible with the use of the fluctuating […]
Learn MoreNew Model COBRA Notice Released
Two New Model COBRA Notices Available from the Dept. of Labor The Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), has released updated versions of its model COBRA General Notice and model COBRA Election Notice, both with an expiration date of Jan. 31, 2023. To administer coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget […]
Learn MoreNew DOL Overtime Law Ruling May Affect You
The new ruling, which goes into effect January 1, 2020, updates the earning thresholds that are required to exempt employees from overtime pay requirements.
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