Human Resources

Webinar: Identifying Hot Spots in Compensation Issues

On Aug. 11, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips will host a free webinar to discuss key compensation issues. Topics will include: compensation planning; identifying misclassified employees (exempt versus non-exempt); independent contractors; and pay equity. Register here. 7/29/2021

DOL Announces Final ‘Joint Employer’ Rule

If you share workers with other employers, engage independent contractors, or use staffing agencies to supplement your workforce, be aware the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a final rule impacting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The new rule rescinds the current joint employer rule implemented under the Trump administration.

DOL says the new rule will “ensure more workers receive minimum wage and overtime protections.” It takes effect Sept. 28, 2021. 7/29/2021

Ohio Sees 27% Jump in New Jobless Claims

First-time unemployment filings in Ohio increased 27% last week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). This coincided with a nationwide jump in initial jobless claims, as reported by OMA Connections Partner RSM. While Ohio’s continued unemployment claims fell last week, the total number of claims filed from July 11-17 was 423,449. Over the last 70 weeks, Ohio has distributed more than $12.3 billion in unemployment compensation payments.

Meanwhile, Ohio’s labor force participation rate in June was 60.2%, compared to the U.S. rate of 61.6% This as the Ohio Means Jobs site lists more than 200,000 available jobs statewide. ODJFS continues to urge employers to report individuals who refuse offers of work without good cause. 7/22/2021

Webinar: When Government Agencies Come Knocking

On Aug. 4, OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward will host a free webinar to discuss best practices for government investigations of employment issues, with a specific focus on wage and hour investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor and investigations by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The presentation will include insight into how employers are selected for investigation, an overview of specific investigation processes, and how best to prepare for an investigation. 7/22/2021

Proposed Rules Issued to Implement $15 Federal Contractor Minimum Wage

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced its proposed rulemaking to implement a $15-an-hour minimum wage for employees covered by government contracts. The action comes following an executive order signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year. 7/22/2021

Scabby the Rat to Remain Fixture at Union Protests

In a 3-1 decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that unions may continue deploying “Scabby” the inflatable rat and similar balloons at demonstrations against non-union businesses. Read this summary of the decision from OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips. 7/22/2021

Ohio Unemployment Claims Drop 9%

Ohioans filed 9,953 initial applications for unemployment benefits last week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). That’s a drop of 9% compared with the previous week. ODJFS reported workers filed 162,965 continued unemployment claims last week, down 10,838 from the previous week. 7/15/2021

Redefining Roles for Aging Workers

While there’s much focus on the next generation of manufacturers, experts say employers also need to take a closer look at older workers to ensure continued productivity. Older workers are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce, and this group of around 13 million people aged 65 and older will still be employed by 2024.

EHS Today reports that as workers reach retirement age, many feel they aren’t ready to step away — and HR departments can support older workers by having them fill leadership roles and teaching younger colleagues. 7/15/2021

U.S. Manufacturing Pay Up 5% Over Past 12 Months

IndustryWeek reports that the nationwide labor shortage is exerting pressure on manufacturing wages. “Compared to this time last year, average hourly earnings in manufacturing rose 4.9%, with average hourly pay in durable manufacturing increasing 5.7% and 3.8% in non-durable manufacturing.”

Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers, says the average hourly earnings of production and non-supervisory workers in manufacturing rose to $23.75 in June. 7/7/2021

EEO-1 Filing Deadline Is Now Aug. 23

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has pushed back to Aug. 23 the deadline for employers to submit and certify 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 data. The commission had previously issued a July 19 deadline. For more details, visit the EEOC’s site. 7/5/2021