On Sunday, January 12, 2020, the Department of Labor (Department) announced a final rule to revise and update its regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule provides updated guidance for determining joint employer status when an employee performs work for his or her employer that simultaneously benefits … Continue reading DOL Releases Final Joint-Employer Rule
On Dec. 31. 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the 2020 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on January 1, 2020, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel … Continue reading IRS Announces 2020 Standard Mileage Rates
Office holiday parties can build morale, offer opportunities for more casual interactions among workers, and reward employees for a productive year– but did you know they can also be a source of liability for your company? If you choose to have alcohol at your holiday party, consider the following tips to help keep you and … Continue reading Alcohol and Office Holiday Parties: 7 Ways to Reduce Your Liability
Employers will often throw parties for Halloween, thinking it could help with morale and team building. However, Halloween has become a celebration that can have more opportunities to cross the line and can set the stage for sexual harassment, discrimination, and hostility in the workplace; among other violations of employment laws and regulations. Below are … Continue reading Are Your Halloween Celebrations and Activities Putting Your Workplace at Risk?
On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule that updates the salary thresholds that some individuals must meet in order to qualify for a minimum wage and overtime exemption under the federal Fair Labors Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2020. The final … Continue reading Final Overtime Rule Issued, Takes Effect January 1, 2020
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, 1 in every four women, and one in 10 men, will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Also, according to a CDC survey, 20 Americans experience intimate partner physical violence every minute. That totals around 10 million victims per year. The Department of Labor … Continue reading October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Last year, while working with a client, I met with a manager to discuss organizational issues. Unfortunately, during our conversation, I realized that she might be a bully. She made statements to me like, “I told Sally if she did not like the way I managed the staff, then there is the door!” Other statements … Continue reading Workplace Bully: How Many Do You Have?
Will your personnel files stand up to a government audit? In addition to being a good business practice, employers may be required to keep certain types of records in order to comply with specific provisions under both federal and state law. When collecting and maintaining information to be kept in employee personnel files, it is … Continue reading Personnel Files: Are You Legal?
Recently the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released detailed breakdowns for charges of workplace discrimination in 2018. The EEOC resolved 90,558 charges of discrimination; and overall, secured $505 million for victims in private sector, state and local government, and federal workplaces. The 2018 data shows that retaliation continued to be the #1 most frequently filed … Continue reading EEOC Releases Fiscal Year 2018 Enforcement and Litigation Data
Effective dates: January 1, 2020, for hotels and motels with 60 or more rooms, January 1, 2021, for other affected employers. A new law in Washington requires hotels, motels, retail establishments, security guard entities and property service contractors to: Adopt a sexual harassment policy; and Provide mandatory sexual harassment training to managers, supervisors, and employees. … Continue reading Sexual Harassment Training is Now Mandatory in Washington
