News and Analysis
Labor Department Clarifies Fluctuating Work Week Pay Method
November 8, 2019The U.S. Department of Labor, to simplify its wage and hour regs, has proposed a rule allowing employers to offer bonuses or other incentive-based pay to employees whose hours vary from week to week. Read the analysis by OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward. 11/6/2019
IRS Announces 401(k) Contribution Limit for 2020
November 8, 2019The Internal Revenue Service has announced that employees in 401(k) plans will be able to contribute up to $19,500 next year. 11/7/2019
Employers See Steady Increase in Compensation Costs
November 1, 2019The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this week that compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.7% over the year, compared to an increase of 2.9% in September 2018. Wages and salaries increased 3.0% for the 12-month period ending in September 2019, while the cost of benefits rose 2.0%. Employer costs for health benefits increased 2.0% for the same one-year period. 10/31/2019
Nov. 4 Webinar will Address Federal Overtime Rule
October 25, 2019In late September, we reported that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) had announced its final rule to make an additional 1.3 million workers eligible for overtime pay. On Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, at 1 p.m. (EST), the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division will offer a free webinar to provide employers with compliance assistance regarding the final rule. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions. 10/22/2019
NLRB: Simply Misclassifying Workers Doesn’t Violate Federal Labor Law
October 25, 2019OMA Connections Partner Bricker & Eckler LLP reports that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a decision in employers’ favor by holding that misclassification of an employee as an independent contractor, by itself, does not violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Employers are still advised to continue to exercise caution and consult legal counsel when making classifications since misclassifications can bring significant liability under other employment laws and regulations. 10/21/2019
Full-Time Workers’ Median Earnings up 3.6% in Past Year
October 25, 2019According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median weekly earnings of the nation’s 118.4 million full-time wage and salary workers were $919 in the third quarter of 2019 (not seasonally adjusted). This was 3.6% higher compared to a year earlier. 10/21/2019
Worker Sues CBD Oil Maker After Positive Drug Test
October 25, 2019Legalization of marijuana and hemp has complicated life for employers, as well as for some applicants and employees. OMA Connections Partner Franz Ward reports on a case from New York involving a professional hazmat truck driver of 29 years. While the trucker knew he was subject to regular drug testing, he told the court he used the defendant’s CBD oil after seeing an ad that claimed the product contained no THC (the intoxicating compound in cannabis). Later, he tested positive for marijuana at almost double the concentration limit. He was terminated — and then sued the seller of the oil.
Because of the unpredictable developments in this area of the law and industry, “employers should continue to act thoughtfully when making decisions regarding applicants and employees who use marijuana or CBD,” the firm advises. 10/22/2019
Anti-Discrimination Bill Introduced
October 18, 2019At a press conference with representatives from the business community, including the OMA, state Reps. Brett Hudson Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) and Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) this week unveiled House Bill 369. Titled the Ohio Fairness Act, the bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected groups under current Ohio’s anti-discrimination law, which prohibits discrimination against a person’s characteristics such as race, gender, and disability.
OMA member and former state Rep. Ross McGregor, who in the past championed the proposal, said the legislation is important for workforce development efforts as employers, such as his company, compete for a new generation of workers. Hannah News Service quoted McGregor as saying: “That’s why you’ll see this list of businesses and business groups that have put their names down as saying this is important. We didn’t have that in 2009.” 10/17/2019
Discussion Resumes on Employment Law Uniformity Act
October 18, 2019This week, the House Civil Justice Committee began hearings on House Bill 352, the Employment Law Uniformity Act. The OMA has been a supporter of this legislation through its various iterations over the years.
On Wednesday, state Reps. George Lang (R-West Chester Township) and Jon Cross (R-Kenton) provided sponsor testimony. The two described the bill as legislation that “aims to improve Ohio’s workplace discrimination laws by allowing for timely, fair, and efficient resolution of claims for both employers and employees.”
The bill tackles several key provisions of the law, including — but not limited to — reducing the statute of limitations; preventing simultaneous filing of administrative and judicial actions; amending the definition of private employer; and creating an affirmative defense. 10/17/2019
Get Your Drug Test Results Faster
October 11, 2019Is your business still using paper drug-testing forms? OMA Connections Partner Working Partners® reports that studies show companies using an electronic custody and control form received their results at least 7.5 hours sooner than employers using traditional paper forms. Learn more by watching this two-minute video. 10/10/2019