Human Resources

NAM Launches 401(k) Plan for Manufacturers

If your business is looking for an employee retirement plan, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently announced its Manufacturers Retirement and Savings Plan. According to NAM, this multiple employer 401(k) plan is designed specifically for manufacturers and is available to all NAM members, regardless of company size. Learn more. 10/28/2021

How Employers Should Address Employee Protests Over Vaccine Mandates

As a general rule, employers should address worker protests over COVID-19 vaccine mandates the same as they would address any other form of protected concerted activity, according to OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips. Read the firm’s summary of employer rights and obligations when it comes to vaccine-related protests and walkouts.

Fisher Phillips has also published this guidance regarding the legality of employers asking employees and visitors whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. 10/21/2021

Webinars: Preparing for OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

Two OMA Connections Partners are offering online events to help employers with more than 100 employees prepare for OSHA’s forthcoming vaccinate-or-test requirement.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1 p.m., Frantz Ward will co-present a webinar featuring Howard Eberts, director at OSHA’s Cleveland office. Topics will include litigation issues, workers’ rights, and employer obligations. Register here.

Also on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 2:30 p.m., Fisher Phillips will present a webinar on how to respond to employees who seek an exemption from an employer’s vaccine requirement. Learn more and register. 10/18/2021

Five Signs You Need an HR Audit

An HR audit can give a business valuable opportunities to review and renew HR practices in areas such as benefits and compensation; company forms; hiring and onboarding; job descriptions; performance evaluation; and more. OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett says these five signs will help determine if your business would likely benefit from an HR audit. 10/21/2021

Managing Compliance for Employee Retirement Plans

As employers plan for year-end activities, they also face regulatory developments affecting employee benefit plans. OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine is offering a complimentary lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 27 to provide updates on the latest developments in the area of retirement benefits and ERISA litigation. 10/20/2021

COVID-19 ETS Is One Step Closer to Implementation

The White House is currently reviewing a draft of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which will require all employers with 100 or more employees to either mandate the COVID-19 vaccination or conduct weekly testing.

Based on this analysis by OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips, the White House could complete its review and give its approval any day now — meaning OSHA could publish the ETS in the Federal Register (making it the official law of the land) by the end of this month. The ETS would become effective immediately in federal OSHA states, such as Ohio, with enforcement commencing after an expected grace period. (The ETS likely will include language noting it supersedes any state or local law concerning vaccines that is not as strict as the ETS.)

Fisher Phillips has also published this seven-step guide to help employers implement a COVID-19 testing program — even if they are not subject to the ETS. 10/13/2021

Analysis: Prepare for OSHA’s ETS, Despite Imminent Legal Challenges

Multiple legal challenges await OSHA’s forthcoming Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which will require employers with 100 or more employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccination or conduct weekly testing.

According to OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips, despite OSHA’s legal hurdles, affected employers should not assume that they will not be required to comply. The firm advises impacted employers to “prepare to roll out a mandate or testing regimen, regardless of what you hear.” The firm offers this suggested three-step plan. 10/14/2021

Bill to Limit Ohio Employers’ COVID-19 Options Stalls Again

Ohio House leaders this week scrapped plans to hold a floor vote on a revised version of House Bill 435, OMA-opposed legislation that would restrict employer options during COVID-19. The AP says the bill “could be dead.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) told the news media that House Republicans — who hold a 64-35 seat advantage — had failed to reach a consensus on how or whether to move forward with the bill. This week marked the second time in three weeks HB 435 had been scheduled for House floor consideration, but never made it. 10/14/2021

Ohio Manufacturing Pay Averaging More Than $28/Hour

The average hourly wage in Ohio manufacturing is now more than $28, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At the same time, manufacturing hours in Ohio have declined. Employees were working an average of 41.5 hours a week as of August 2021, compared to nearly 42.5 hours last December.

Meanwhile, a report released by OMA Connections Partner MAGNET and Team NEO shows output from the manufacturing sector in northeastern Ohio should grow through 2025, while employment is likely to remain below pre-pandemic levels as manufacturers continue to embrace advanced methods of production. 10/14/2021

Report: Quit Rate Hits New Record, ‘Real’ Unemployment Is 8.2%

The official U.S. unemployment rate is 5.2% (and 5.4% in Ohio). However, when including individuals who are no longer looking for a job but who would welcome the chance to work, the “real” unemployment rate is closer to 8.2%, says OMA Connections Partner RSM.

Meanwhile, there are three million fewer workers in the U.S. labor force today compared to February 2020. (Here are the labor force participation rates for the U.S. and Ohio.)

In August, the nation’s “quit rate” reached a record 2.9% — 25% higher than before the pandemic. In manufacturing, the quit rate is 2.5% — the lowest of six major sectors of the economy. “But it has accelerated every bit as quickly as factories race to poach one another’s workers and increase production as supply-chain issues reshuffle the global manufacturing landscape,” The Washington Post reports.10/14/2021