• The average hourly earnings of all manufacturing employees in Ohio jumped to $30.25 in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (This compares to $31.23 nationwide in October.)
• A national think tank says Ohio has spent more federal COVID-19 relief funds on unemployment benefits than any other state. (Ohio’s unemployment benefit levels are near the U.S. average, according to this comparison.)
• Employers are still waiting to see if the U.S. Department of Labor will propose wage and hour changes under the federal overtime rule.
• Prioritizing “stay interviews” and evaluating benefits are key ways to boost employee retention, HR experts say.
• Some DEI policies are sending the wrong message, leading to “reverse discrimination,” a new survey warns.

Meanwhile, Congress has passed legislation that would render unenforceable workplace pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses involving sexual assault and sexual harassment. Here are 10 things employers should know, according to OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips. 11/17/2022