News and Analysis
Coronavirus Update – Week Ending February 28
February 28, 2020This week, it was reported that more than 200 Ohioans have been asked to self-quarantine after traveling to China. At last check, these individuals had not shown symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-2019). On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered state agencies to take several precautionary steps, noting that the threat of coronavirus in Ohio remained low and that there were no confirmed cases in the state.
COVID-19 has now spread to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. Here is the latest global count of cases and deaths. Meanwhile, human trials for a vaccine will get underway within weeks.
The OMA continues to monitor updates from the Ohio Department of Health, as well as the latest situation summaries from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which have published this page with information on how to spot symptoms of the disease and best practices to prevent its spread. 2/27/2020
NLRB Issues Joint-Employer Final Rule
February 28, 2020This week, the National Labor Relations Board published a final rule returning to a tighter standard for determining when workers are considered to be jointly employed by two or more employers under the National Labor Relations Act. See the analyses by OMA Connections Partners Bricker & Eckler and Frantz Ward. The National Association of Manufacturers has also published its take on what the final rule means for manufacturers. 2/26/2020
Draft Mandatory Arbitration Agreements With Care
February 28, 2020Employer-mandated arbitration agreements have been a hot topic in recent years. And despite their approval by the U.S. Supreme Court, employers still need to draft these agreements with care, according to new guidance from OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward. 2/26/2020
Coronavirus Update
February 21, 2020The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-2019) outbreak. ODH’s website features this page to provide updates on the virus, as well as a fact sheet. Also, there’s this website that provides the latest global count of COVID-2019 cases and deaths.
World health officials said Thursday that while the new virus has not yet spread widely around the world, a global outbreak could occur at any time.
With flu season in full swing, OMA Connections Partner Dinsmore has published guidance on what employers need to know regarding quarantines and preventing the spread of disease in the workplace. 2/20/2020
Manufacturing Employee Earnings Up 3.3% in Past Year
February 21, 2020Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings for all U.S. employees on private non-farm payrolls increased from $27.58 to $28.44, or 3.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Manufacturing outpaced the overall private sector with average hourly earnings expanding by 3.3%. 2/17/2020
What to Do When an Employee Brings Alcohol to Work?
February 21, 2020Is possession always a violation at a drug-free workplace? Here’s a report from OMA Connections Partner Working Partners® that details what one employer did when an unopened can of beer fell out of an employee’s lunch bag. 2/18/2020
EEOC to Prioritize ‘Robust’ Compliance Assistance
February 14, 2020According to a recent announcement, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) seeks to improve its compliance assistance this year. Janet Dhillon, the EEOC’s new chair, said that to prevent discrimination in the workplace, the EEOC will conduct outreach to employers, especially the small business community; continue to build strong partnerships with employer and advocacy groups; and update some guidance documents and rescind others, such as those that exceed the EEOC’s statutory authority. 2/12/2020
Supporters of $13 Minimum Wage Can Begin Collecting Signatures
February 7, 2020A proposed constitutional amendment to hike Ohio’s minimum wage from $8.70 to $13 by 2025 is another step closer to being placed on the November ballot. This week, a coalition of public labor unions received the Ohio Ballot Board’s approval to collect signatures.
Supporters will need to gather nearly 443,000 valid petition signatures — a significantly higher threshold than that of the previous election cycle. If they do, and the amendment is approved by the majority of Ohio voters, the proposal would become effective 30 days after the election.
Only California and Washington State have imposed a minimum wage of $13 or higher. For more, check out this post from OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward. 2/5/2020
Learn More About Ohio’s Free Wellness Program for Smaller Employers
February 7, 2020Better You, Better Ohio!® is a free health-and-wellness program for workers of businesses with 150 or fewer employees engaged in higher-risk industries, including manufacturing. Administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the program gives employers a chance to start a wellness program with no cost or paperwork hassle.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 9:30 a.m., BWC will host a free 25-minute webinar so employers can learn more about this innovative program. Register here. 2/6/2020
EEOC: Discrimination, Harassment Complaints Continue to Fall
February 7, 2020The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that it received 72,675 workplace discrimination charges in its 2019 fiscal year, continuing a downward trend. Most categories of complaints saw lower numbers, including sexual harassment. Retaliation continued to be the most frequent charge filed with the agency, followed by disability, race and gender. 2/3/2020