Human Resources

Five Fast Tips to Make Your Job Posting Get Noticed

In a tight labor market, businesses get only one chance to make a first impression. Because a job posting is often your first contact with a potential employee, OMA Connections Partner One Source Advisors urges employers to watch this short video providing five tips to make your posting stand out. 9/1/2021

How Manufacturers Are Dealing With Delta

As COVID-19 cases surge once again, the National Association of Manufacturers recently hosted a town hall meeting to discuss strategies that manufacturers are using to keep workplaces safe and increase employee vaccination rates. A representative from OMA member Whirlpool Corporation said the company is focused on making it easier for employees to get vaccinated by hosting vaccination clinics, while also providing an incentive of $250 per employee.

The Ohio Department of Health continues to make available this statewide list of COVID-19 vaccine provider locations that you can share with employees. The OMA has partnered with Kroger Health’s COVIDCare Plus program to access to the vaccine. If your business is interested in using the program, email Kroger Health. 8/26/2021

Analysis: Full Approval of Vaccine Reduces Legal Risks for Employers

According to the OMA’s general counsel, Bricker & Eckler, the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine “reduces employers’ legal risk in mandating vaccines.” In its analysis, Bricker attorneys note that “full approval should significantly limit potential employer exposure to intentional tort claims.”

Several businesses and public institutions this week announced vaccination requirements; others have said they will impose health insurance surcharges on unvaccinated employees. 8/26/2021

Steps to Consider When Considering a Vaccine Mandate

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this guidance for employers considering a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for employees. The guidance also includes options for employers not planning to mandate vaccinations.

The firm has also published this document: “An Employer’s Three-Step Guide to Responding to COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Objections.” 8/26/2021

Legal Fight Over $300-a-Week in Extra Unemployment Pay Is Still Alive

Ohio’s participation in the federal COVID-19 program that pays unemployed individuals an extra $300 a week is up in the air after a state appeals court this week provided a partial win to a group trying to force the state to resume the additional welfare benefits. (Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states.)

The Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas “abused its discretion” when it rejected the case to restart the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program in Ohio. The case now goes back to the county court. Meanwhile, Attorney General Dave Yost is asking the Supreme Court of Ohio to reverse the appeals court decision.

Gov. Mike DeWine ended the extra benefits in June due to the severe labor shortage. The OMA supported the governor’s decision. 8/24/2021

Key Ohio Counties See Employment Drop More Than 5%

Last month, there were 1,398,000 more job openings nationwide than there were unemployed workers (1.2 jobs for each unemployed worker). As the labor force participation rate continues to significantly trail 2019 levels, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta estimates labor shortages are costing the U.S. $738 billion annually in reduced gross output.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has published this map showing employment decreased in 324 of the 343 largest U.S. counties from March 2020 to March 2021. Multiple urban counties in Ohio saw employment fall by more than 5%.

Here are the latest labor force statistics for Ohio, as well as the state’s jobless figures and employment situation for all sectors. 8/26/2021

NLRB General Counsel Issues 10(j) Warning Notice

OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward reports that days after issuing a memo outlining her priorities, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo made it clear she will use 10(j) injunctions to protect union activities.

Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act allows the NLRB to seek temporary injunctions in federal courts to stop alleged unfair labor practices (including maintaining the “status quo”) while the case is being litigated. 8/24/2021

Five-Hour Hearing Held on Bill to Restrict Employers’ Rights on Vaccines

This week, the Ohio House Health Committee reconvened to hold a hearing on House Bill 248, which would limit employers’ rights with respect to vaccination policies. During the five-hour hearing, the committee considered more than 1,000 pieces of testimony.

The OMA has previously testified against HB 248, but this week submitted additional testimony to reiterate its concerns. The OMA told lawmakers that HB 248 “strips employers’ rights to make the best decisions for the safety of their business, employees, and guests” while jeopardizing all the work Ohio manufacturers have done to keep their facilities running throughout the pandemic.

No further action on the bill is expected until the House reconvenes in mid-September. 8/25/2021

Governor Hints He Won’t Sign Bill Restricting Employer Rights on Vaccines

This week, Gov. Mike DeWine indicated he’d have difficulty signing House Bill 248, which would limit employers’ rights with respect to their vaccination policy. A four-hour hearing on the bill will be held Tuesday, Aug. 24. DeWine told the press the bill “goes against local control.” The OMA previously testified against the legislation stating employers “are in the best position to make those choices on how best to protect their companies, not the government.”

On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the OMA Government Affairs Committee will dive deeper into this issue. A panel of manufacturers will share their insights from their companies’ efforts to encourage employee vaccines. Register here to join next week’s meeting. 8/18/2021

New Weekly Ohio Jobless Claims Under 10,000

Ohio’s first-time unemployment claims were under 10,000 last week, down 897 from the previous week. Ohioans filed 142,750 continued traditional unemployment claims last week, down 1,052 from the week prior.

However, Ohioans submitted 11,113 initial Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims last week — 6,655 higher than the previous week. Of those claims, 3,841 have been flagged for possible fraud. 8/19/2021