News and Analysis
OMA Calls for Update of Anti-Discrimination Laws
November 22, 2019The OMA joined a chorus of businesses this week in support of House Bill 352 — legislation sponsored by Reps. John Cross (R-Kenton) and George Lang (R-West Chester) to set Ohio on a more even playing field with other states by updating employment discrimination laws.
In his testimony, OMA Director of Public Policy Services Rob Brundrett defined the areas of law being updated, while noting that the bill would encourage “predictability, stability and administrative efficiency.” 11/19/2019
Bipartisan Sponsors Support Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination
November 22, 2019Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) joined forces with Rep. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) this week in presenting sponsor testimony in support of legislation to expand Ohio’s anti-discrimination law. Dubbed the “Ohio Fairness Act,” House Bill 369 is the companion to Senate Bill 11, which was approved by the Senate earlier this year.
The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the state’s anti-discrimination laws designed to protect people from unfair labor, housing, and other discrimination. The legislation has support throughout the business community, including that of the OMA. It is unclear if or when the House will hold a second hearing on the bill. 11/19/2019
Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse Goes Live in January
November 22, 2019Employers regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will be required to supply the agency with information about violations of federal drug and alcohol testing rules by employees as part of a new FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, which will become operational in January.
OMA Connections Partner Working Partners® is hosting a 30-minute webinar on Dec. 11 to help you comply with Clearinghouse requirements. 11/18/2019
CBD Continues to Generate Employer Questions
November 15, 2019As cannabidiol (CBD) grows in popularity, questions from employers continue to pour in — especially since current drug testing methods cannot distinguish whether a positive result was triggered by a legal hemp-derived CBD product or an illegal marijuana-derived CBD product.
In its new analysis, OMA Connections Partner Roetzel & Andress notes there is no law that requires employers to accommodate employees’ use of CBD products. However, court rulings in some states have muddied the waters when it comes to employer obligations. 11/13/2019
EEOC Ordered to Continue Collecting Pay Data
November 15, 2019This week it was reported that federal lawmakers are taking sides on the debate over the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) decision to discontinue collecting worker pay data, in advance of a public hearing on the issue.
Recently, a federal judge ordered the commission to continue collecting pay data, even though the agency says more than 80% of eligible employers have turned in their 2017 and 2018 compensation information. In its analysis, OMA Connections Partner Fisher & Phillips suggests that employers who are required to complete an EEO-1 Component 2 Report, but haven’t yet done so, should do so immediately. The deadline was Sept. 30. 11/11/2019
Time to Do Your ACA Affordability Cost-Share Homework for 2020
November 15, 2019Under the Affordable Care Act, applicable large employers are required to offer minimum essential coverage (that is both affordable and meets the minimum value standard) to at least 95% of their eligible full-time equivalent employees.
OMA Connections Partner Bricker & Eckler LLP, in its new analysis, notes that employer penalties may be assessed in two tiers if the employer fails to offer minimum essential coverage to at least 95% of eligible employees and/or the coverage is not affordable and the employees enroll in Marketplace plans. 11/14/2019
Denial, OH Campaign is Effective, but Work Remains
November 8, 2019Last year, the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance launched the Denial, OH campaign with the aim of preventing prescription opioid misuse. The OMA is a partner in this effort. A recent survey was conducted to examine the campaign’s effectiveness. Findings include:
- Nearly half of respondents in central Ohio have seen the Denial, OH ads, including 37% of those living in other areas of the state.
- While most Ohioans still underestimate the threat of opioids to their families, the majority of those who have seen the Denial, OH advertisements reported talking to their kids about opioids as a result.
- The majority of those who have seen Denial, OH ads reported being more cautious about how they dispose of unused pills.
See the full results of the survey. Visit DontLiveinDenial.org. 11/4/2019
Using Voluntary Benefits to Attract Millennial Talent
November 8, 2019Millennials (ages 23 to 38 in 2019) consistently cite work-life balance and employer benefits as key factors when considering a job offer. To capitalize on this market shift, OMA Connections Partner One Source Advisors says employers should consider offering more imaginative and comprehensive perks to attract younger talent, starting with voluntary benefits, including:
- Pet insurance
- Student loan repayment
- Identity theft insurance
- Elder care
- On-site daycare
For more, get in touch with One Source Advisors. 11/5/2019
NLRB: Employers Can Remove Labor Organizers from Parking Lot
November 8, 2019The National Labor Relations Board recently issued another decision benefiting employers by holding that an employer does not violate the National Labor Relations Act when it removes from the employer’s parking lot non-employee union representatives who encourage customers to boycott the employer. See the analysis from OMA Connections Partner Bricker & Eckler LLP. 11/4/2019
Is Your Business a Recovery-Supportive Workplace?
November 8, 2019What is a recovery-supportive workplace? Unfortunately, many employers do not know what being a recovery-supportive workplace really means for their organization. OMA Connections Partner Working Partners® has produced this video to help explain the concept to employers. 11/5/2019