Human Resources

Manufacturing Earnings Up 4.5% Since Pandemic Began

While consumer prices for May rose at their fastest pace in nearly 13 years, Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers, reports that the average hourly earnings of production and non-supervisory workers in manufacturing rose to $23.52 last month — a 3.3% year-over-year increase and a 4.5% spike since February 2020.

According to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, the Bank of Cleveland noted that wage increases were especially common among manufacturers. One staffing company reported “turning away prospective clients that offered starting wages of less than $13 per hour because he will not be able to find anyone at that wage.”

Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturing job openings soared to 851,000 in April, a new record. The nation’s “quit rate” advanced to 2.7% in May, implying “a growing confidence among workers they will find better work elsewhere,” according to OMA Connections Partner RSM. 6/10/2021

Summaries of EEOC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance

Vorys has published further analysis for employers regarding the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) guidance on COVID-19 vaccination policies and incentives. This alert — the second installment of a two-part series — addresses common questions related to employer vaccine incentives. To read part one, which examines employment law considerations, click here. 6/10/2021

EEOC Provides Some Clarity on COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives

As we reported in the OMA’s COVID-19 Update earlier this week, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued new guidance covering workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies and practices. The guidance makes clear that employers may require employees who are physically present in the workplace to be vaccinated. Employees who have not been vaccinated due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance must be reasonably accommodated.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this analysis of the EEOC’s new guidance to help employers weigh their options when it comes to encouraging employees to get vaccinated. The firm has also published this insight to help employers manage a partially vaccinated workforce. 6/2/2021

Ohio Begins Wind Down of COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits

Beginning June 27, Ohio unemployment benefits recipients will revert to receiving the standard amount of unemployment benefits for eligible weeks of unemployment. OMA Connections Partner Vorys has produced this summary of Ohio’s pandemic unemployment benefits wind down. 6/3/2021

Dems Take First Step in Regaining Control of NLRB

President Joe Biden has nominated Gwynne Wilcox — the attorney who sued McDonald’s on behalf of the Fight for $15 worker advocacy group — to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). OMA Connections Partner Vorys provides this report, noting that Democrats are poised to hold a 3-2 NLRB majority later this year. 6/1/2021

Coalition Opposes Problematic Vaccine Bill

The OMA joined a coalition of Ohio health care and business organizations this week to voice concerns to members of the House Health Committee over House Bill 248.

HB 248 would prohibit any public or private entity (i.e. businesses, schools, childcare facilities, universities, hospitals) from mandating or requesting an individual get any vaccine, not just the COVID-19 vaccine, or from requiring or requesting an individual’s vaccine status.

In essence, this bill would strip employers’ rights to implement important safety measures meant to protect their workforce, clients, and others. 5/27/2021

Survey: 75% of Employers Encouraging Workers to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine; Few Mandating

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips conducted a survey with more than 600 respondents May 14-19 and concluded: An overwhelming number of employers are not mandating their employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine – more than four in five – but 75% are instead encouraging their workforce to get inoculated from the virus. Read more here. 5/25/2021

Unemployment Comp Work Search Explained & Dealing With Scams

Ohio Business magazine recaps the current requirements for those in the unemployment compensation system, including searching for a job. Allowable work-search activities are described as applying for a job, attending a resume-writing course, or creating and maintaining a reemployment plan on OhioMeansJobs.com. Under Ohio law, some individuals will be exempt from conducting work-search activities. Read more.

Meanwhile, numerous scams are still being perpetrated against employees and employers. See the state’s guidance to prevent being scammed and share the tips with your associates. Additionally, the state has updated its process for employers to report work refusals. 5/25/2021

IRS Addresses ARP COBRA Subsidy Questions

OMA Connections Partner Vorys has just issued a client alert covering highlights of the May 18, 2021 IRS Notice 2021-31, which addressed 86 questions on the COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Vorys points out: Most plan sponsors (and their COBRA administrators) had to implement procedures for administering the COBRA subsidy weeks ago. Now those procedures will need to be revisited and adjusted to conform to details revealed in IRS Notice 2021-31.

Vorys is also planning a June 2 webinar, COBRA Subsidy 2.0. 5/26/2021

New Way to Report Workers Who Refuse Work

As Ohio’s labor shortage continues to worsen, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted this week announced a new form to make it easier for employers to report workers who refuse work while continuing to collect unemployment benefits. (Here are details from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Employers may also call 1-877-644-6562.)

Beginning Sunday, May 23, all unemployed Ohioans will be required to actively search for a job in order to be eligible for continued unemployment compensation. 5/18/2021