Human Resources

BSI’s recent article on “Seven Organizational Resilience Pitfalls to Avoid” points out common mistakes that can undermine emergency preparedness in manufacturing. One big tip? Don’t just go through the motions with drills — the drills should test if your plans actually work, not just check if people show up. Manufacturers are encouraged to run realistic, even surprise drills to spot any weak spots in their emergency plans.

Another common mistake is limiting all the planning to a single department. BSI recommends involving teams from finance, human resources, information technology, operations and leadership to ensure comprehensive coverage. Collaborating across departments helps identify critical priorities and establish backup systems, keeping operations running smoothly when unexpected events occur.

The article also points out how important it is to bring in outside partners like fire departments and insurance folks. Having them involved makes sure everyone’s ready and knows what to do if a real emergency happens. For manufacturers, that means getting to know your local emergency services and working with them as part of your prep to make your operation stronger and safer. 10/23/2025

Earlier this week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) voiced strong support for Ohio employers by raising concerns about House Bill 276, which proposes an expansion of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

OMA President Ryan Augsburger authored an op-ed in The Columbus Dispatch, and Managing Director of Public Policy James Lee testified before the House Insurance Committee, urging lawmakers to pause the bill. The proposed expansion would add $326 million in healthcare costs for Ohio employers. Moreover, a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office has shown that the program fails to deliver drug discounts to the low-income patients the program was meant to benefit. The OMA is advocating for transparency and accountability before any expansion — ensuring healthcare dollars truly benefit Ohioans, not drive-up premiums for businesses and employees.

The National Association of Manufacturers’ is leading the charge for necessary congressional reforms to place guardrails on the 340B Program and restore its original intent to protect patients, employers and rural healthcare systems. 10/14/2025

Labor unions will be unhappy with recently introduced bills at the Ohio Statehouse that would prohibit mandatory union dues and make union-scale construction costs optional for public employers.

State Rep. Levi Dean, R-Xenia, has introduced House Bill 510 to prohibit requirements on employees to join unions and to pay union dues. State representatives Beth Lear, R-Galena, and Meredith Craig, R-Smithville, have teamed up to introduce House Bill 513 to exempt public employers from union-scale construction wages requirements.

OMA staff will closely monitor the legislation. 10/16/2025

The Supreme Court of the United States began its new term on Mon., Oct. 6, poised to rule on pivotal cases in the 2025-2026 session that could significantly shape employer policies for years to come. Fisher Phillips has produced a concise overview of the key cases on the Supreme Court’s docket with potential workplace implications, along with notable cases SCOTUS may still consider and those it has already declined to hear. Read more here. 10/14/2025

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has summarized and provided a useful analysis for employers on a recent court decision that will directly impact workplace harassment by non-employees in a manufacturing environment. Read the client bulletin to learn how the new standard will alter employer liability. 10/9/2025

HR Dive has released its list of the must-attend HR conferences for 2026, highlighting events that will cover policy updates, compliance challenges, workforce development and the growing impact of artificial intelligence. From SHRM’s Annual Conference in Orlando to specialized gatherings like LEAP HR for manufacturing, logistics and healthcare, the lineup offers HR professionals opportunities to learn, network and share best practices across industries.

These conferences will feature keynotes, workshops, case studies and expos designed to help HR leaders adapt to rapid changes while strengthening workplace culture and strategy. 10/2/2025

President Donald Trump has directed immigration officials to tighten visa vetting procedures, signaling a broader crackdown on legal immigration. While student visas—especially for STEM fields—remain largely unaffected, increased scrutiny and longer processing times are expected across categories. International students, who contribute more than $43 billion annually to the U.S. economy and fill critical workforce gaps, may face delays and added documentation requirements.

Despite the tougher stance, experts predict continued strong demand for U.S. education and employment opportunities, especially in the tech and manufacturing sectors. 9/25/2025

A new Gallup poll shows a modest increase in Americans’ trust in businesses, particularly in how they use emerging technologies like AI. While concerns remain about job impacts and responsible use, the data suggest growing public confidence in the private sector—especially compared with trust in government institutions. 9/25/2025

In the ongoing debate over health care cost drivers, providers are drawing increased scrutiny. The Wall Street Journal editorial board spotlighted how the 340B drug discount program, designed to support low-income patients, has been stretched well beyond its intent—with hospitals able to claim discounts on prescriptions written by outside physicians and filled at contract pharmacies. Hospitals and pharmacies even hire firms to comb patient records and maximize these discounts.

Also this week, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich authored a column pointing to the 340B program as a key area for reform to ensure savings flow to patients, not hospital bottom lines. 9/25/2025

As employee expression spills into every corner of the workplace, employers must find effective ways to respond. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips provides this client bulletin outlining strategies for navigating these issues. 9/17/2025

The Congressional Budget Office recently released a study on the growth of federal government spending on drugs purchased via the 340B program. The program, originally targeted to support rural hospitals, has been expanded to the largest health care systems. The result: significant additional costs to the American taxpayer and increases in the overall cost of health care.

Specifically, the CBO’s analysis found that spending on drugs purchased through the 340B program grew by an average of 19 percent annually, exceeding the spending growth seen market-wide for prescription drug spending. Additionally, the analysis described how the Affordable Care Act both directly and indirectly expanded participation in the 340B program by expanding eligibility to more hospitals. 9/10/2025

With the high-profile federal immigration raid of a manufacturing facility in Georgia, employers may want to consider steps to safeguard against immigration infractions. The Associated Press reports most of the workers in Georgia were South Korean engineers and installers performing authorized work at the plant.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published guidance on whether employers should use the E-Verify system for new hires. The employment law firm also provides guidance on State Department–tightened rules for visa applicant interviews. 9/10/2025

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employers may remove union flyers from break rooms if doing so is part of consistently enforced housekeeping and solicitation policies. The decision in Apple Inc. v. NLRB overturned a prior board ruling and also found no violation in a manager’s brief discussion with an employee about unionization.

While the ruling applies directly in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, it signals how courts may view neutral workplace policies in union settings. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips recommends that manufacturers review their solicitation and housekeeping rules to ensure they are applied evenly and documented clearly. 9/3/2025

In a decision that could significantly reshape how the federal government handles EEO-1 Reports for federal contractors, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recently ruled that certain employer EEO-1 reports must be disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips breaks down what this means for businesses and how employers can respond. 8/26/2025

From the rise of AI to competition for trade skills and talent, HR departments in manufacturing are undergoing rapid changes. With Deloitte highlighting in their 2025 Manufacturing Outlook that while U.S. manufacturing is experiencing increased investment and growth, they are faced with new challenges when it comes to replacing, training, and retaining skilled labor.

HR experts at ADP have highlighted the top eight HR trends to watch in manufacturing. 7/22/2025

With the rise of data centers in Ohio and around the world, more and more businesses are implementing cloud-based infrastructure. However, every new technology comes with inherent risks.

OMA Connections Partner BSI Consulting unpacks what we can learn from recent cloud breaches and what manufacturers should keep in mind when implementing and scaling cloud infrastructure. 7/17/2025

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) last week began quietly rolling back over 60 initiatives, including overtime and minimum wage exemptions and cuts in affirmative action and workplace safety oversight.

OMA Connection Partner Fisher Phillips has created a breakdown of which rules are on the chopping block, which are being scaled back, and what employers need to know moving forward. 6/25/2025

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that it will no longer enforce the 2024 Biden-era rule that tightened independent contractor classifications, signaling a return to the more flexible “economic realities” standard.

While the rule remains in effect for private lawsuits, DOL enforcement now aligns with the Trump administration’s approach. Manufacturers may benefit from this shift but must still contend with differing state laws, ongoing litigation, and the potential for future policy reversals.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has outlined the four things manufacturers need to know in the wake of this rule. 6/25/2025

Recently, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals clarified the scope of protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding workplace accommodations.

The ruling clarified that under the ADA, employees with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, even if they can perform their essential job functions without them.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created a snapshot guide on what manufacturers need to know and consider in the wake of this ruling. 6/19/2025

With immigration enforcement across the country increasing pressure across all industries, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created a detailed playbook for employers to minimize the chances of an audit or raid and what to consider should immigration officials arrive at your workplace. 6/12/2025