Human Resources

U.S. Compensation Costs Up 4.5% Since June 2022

According to the latest federal report, compensation costs for U.S. private industry workers increased 4.5% from June 2022 to June 2023. Wages and salaries were up 4.6% (1.7% when adjusted for inflation). This infographic shows how nominal wage growth has started to outpace inflation again after 25 straight months of declining real wages. 10/16/2023

5 Takeaways: EEOC’s Harassment Guidance

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently published its proposal to revise the agency’s guidance on harassment in the workplace — the first update in more than 30 years. The updates could be adopted by Q1 2024. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this list of five takeaways and steps employers can take. 10/17/2023

Insights Into America’s Labor Force

As the labor market undergoes profound shifts, the U.S. Chamber has conducted this analysis, predicting that America’s labor force participation rate is unlikely to fully recover to its pre-COVID-19 levels.

Estimates show the overall participation rate will drop to 60.4% in 2030, about three full percentage points below the rate in February 2020. 10/9/2023

HR Roundup: Senate OKs Labor Law Notice Bill

• The Ohio Senate this week unanimously passed Senate Bill 96, which would allow businesses to post notices detailing Ohio’s labor laws on the internet instead of a physical workplace location. Read the summary of the bill, which now goes to the House.
• The U.S. September jobs report shows average hourly earnings increased 4.2% on a year-over-year basis, according to RSM, an OMA Connections Partner.
• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently issued this press release on SharedWork Ohio, a voluntary layoff aversion program that helps employers retain skilled employees during challenging times.
• OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this list of four U.S. Supreme Court cases that employers should be tracking.

Meanwhile, a new study shows 76% of workers who understand their employment benefits say they are happy, and 82% believe their benefits give them a greater sense of overall stability. 10/12/2023

Ohio Minimum Wage to Increase to $10.45

For employers with annual gross receipts of at least $385,000, Ohio’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 an hour for non-tipped employees to $10.45 an hour beginning Jan. 1, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. The agency’s 2024 minimum wage poster is available here.

The minimum wage hike is the result of Ohio voters in 2006 approving a yearly minimum wage increase based on the Consumer Price Index. 10/3/2023

HR Roundup: New Guidance on Workplace Harassment

• Nationwide, there were 616,000 manufacturing job openings in August, up from 544,000 in July, according to federal data.
• For the first time since 1999, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is proposing an update to its enforcement guidance on harassment in the workplace, according to this report from Dinsmore, an OMA Connections Partner.
• OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward has summarized the EEOC’s work on its strategic enforcement plan.
• OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this summary of recent NLRB activity. The guidance provides suggested steps for employers.
• Fisher Phillips has also published this guidance highlighting 10 items for your October labor law “to-do” list, including preparing EEO-1 data.
• OMA Connections Partner One Source Advisors has published this summary highlighting the Oct. 15 deadline for Medicare Part D notices and the increased penalties under the ACA’s employer mandate.

Meanwhile, the three-month moving average for U.S. median wage inflation dropped to 5.3% in August versus 6.7% in July 2022, according to this tracking tool. 10/5/2023

Government Shutdown Guidance for Employers

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this guide for employers that may be affected by a federal government shutdown. The guide addresses EEO-1 Forms, NLRB hearings, wage and hour compliance, immigration, OSHA operations, and more. 9/28/2023

Webinar: Employee Privacy Rights

An Oct. 3 webinar, hosted by OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine, will address employee privacy rights and regulatory requirements. The event will specifically cover access to and protection of HR information; health privacy; communication monitoring; location monitoring; and more. Register now. 9/28/2023

Webinar: Promoting Employee Well-Being

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips will host an Oct. 18 no-cost webinar addressing several issues related to employee well-being. Topics include employee mental health and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn more and register. 9/27/2023

Revisiting SharedWork Ohio as UAW Strike Lingers

As the United Auto Workers union strike continues, some manufacturers in the auto supply chain have raised concerns they may be forced to temporarily lay off employees due to reduced demand.

The OMA reminds members about SharedWork Ohio, a voluntary layoff aversion program, which helps employers retain skilled workers while navigating reduced business activity by uniformly reducing employees’ hours. Participating workers maintain their employment and receive unemployment insurance benefits. Learn more about this program, which was established during the Great Recession with the support of the OMA.

Meanwhile, let OMA staff know of any strike-related challenges your business is facing by emailing our development and member services directors Nick Miller and Nate Mays. 9/20/2023