News and Analysis
NLRB Expanding Remedies in Unfair Labor Practice Cases
July 8, 2022While the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) limits the National Labor Relations Board’s actions against employers in cases of unfair labor practices, a recent memo from the NLRB’s general counsel shows how far the current board is willing to go with they power it has. According to this insight from OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine, employers should take preventive measures to ensure compliance with the NLRA. 7/7/2022
Ban on Vaccine Requirements May Reach Ohio Ballot
July 8, 2022Activists are working to ban vaccine requirements in Ohio via a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. On July 5, the Ohio Ballot Board advanced the proposed amendment in a procedural vote, allowing organizers to begin gathering signatures. According to reports, organizers will need to collect roughly 443,000 valid signatures, per state rules. If petitioners are successful, the issue could appear on the ballot as soon as May 2023. 7/7/2022
HR Action Steps for Employee Name Changes
July 8, 2022The summer wedding season is a good time for HR staff to brush up on how to ensure employee names are accurately reflected on required forms and internal records. Watch this video from OMA Connections Partner One Source Advisors to learn how to stay compliant. 7/5/2022
Report: U.S. Wage Grow Exceeds 6%
June 30, 2022U.S. wage inflation has surged over the past year, exceeding 6% annual growth, according to this tracking tool from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The median hourly wage for full-time workers was $1.70 higher in April than it was a year earlier. For those working 40 hours a week, that’s an increase of $68 a week — the highest pay hike since the bank started keeping records in 1997.
Scott Sumner with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University says if wages continue growing at this rate while nominal GDP growth slows sharply, “higher unemployment is almost inevitable.” 6/29/2022
New Overtime Law Takes Effect July 6
June 30, 2022Changes to Ohio’s overtime law take effect July 6, harmonizing state law with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). OMA Connections Partner Squire Patton Boggs calls it a welcome change for employers since Senate Bill 47 adopts the FLSA’s “opt-in” requirement for individuals seeking to join a wage and hour lawsuit, while also exempting certain activities from the definition of hours worked. 6/28/2022
At a Glance: Ohio’s Unemployment by County
June 24, 2022Ohio’s statewide unemployment rate was 3.9% in May, according to the latest update from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. But unemployment rates vary widely throughout the 88 counties. This map shows several counties with jobless rates well below 3%, while eight counties saw jobless rates of 4.4% or higher.
During May, employment in goods-producing industries increased 29,800. Manufacturing added 18,000 jobs in durable goods (+10,400) and non-durable goods (+7,600). 6/23/2022
Hiring Workers Under Age 18 for the Summer?
June 24, 2022As more employers look to hiring minors for the summer, Bricker & Eckler, the OMA’s general counsel, has published this guidance to shed light on the unique federal and Ohio labor laws that apply when hiring anyone under the age of 18.
As a reminder, the OMA offers this guidance for members participating in Ohio’s Manufacturing Mentorship Program, which allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work in a manufacturing operation through part-time employment. 6/23/2022
IRS Unveils New Retirement Plan Compliance Program
June 24, 2022The IRS has announced it’s piloting a new 90-day, pre-examination retirement plan compliance program. OMA Connections Partner Calfee advises employers that receive a letter from the IRS regarding this new program to take immediate action to begin an assessment of the tax-qualified status of their plan. 6/23/2022
Virtual Skilled Trades Job Fair Set for June 22
June 17, 2022The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will host a statewide, virtual skilled-trades job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22. Employers that want to participate should email the agency, while job seekers can pre-register here. 6/13/2022
Gallup: Even Your Committed Employees Are Being Recruited
June 17, 2022Recent research shows one in four U.S. employees say they have been recruited in the past three months. As a result, Gallup reports that managers need to proactively address the factors that are contributing to resignations, including pay and benefits, career development, and work structure and flexibility. 6/14/2022