Bill sponsors hope that by giving part-time workers access to more hours and benefits, they will have less need for multiple jobs to make ends meet. If you have employees who work fewer than 30-40 hours per week, you need to know about the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act, which was introduced late last year to provide additional protections for these individuals. Among other things, it addresses work schedules that do not provide as many hours as these individuals need to support their families. … [Read more...] about New Legislation Will Expand Protections for Part-Time Workers
Regulatory
Workplace Age Discrimination Comes Under New Scrutiny
It may seem like old news, but age discrimination is making headlines again. An ageism checkup now could prevent troubles down the road. Get ready. The U.S. House of Representatives is planning to vote on a bill that would reduce barriers for workers to prove age-based job discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 1230) would amend the Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) to allow complaining individuals to use any type of evidence in presenting their claims. It also would clarify that complainants aren’t required to prove that a protected activity was the only cause of unlawful actions by an employer. … [Read more...] about Workplace Age Discrimination Comes Under New Scrutiny
New NLRB Ruling: Employers Can Restrict Emails Related to Unionization Efforts
Employers can’t stop workers from talking about pay, but they can limit communications on company-owned computers and other information technology. According to a new ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an employer has the right to restrict employees from using its email system if it does so on a nondiscriminatory basis. As a result, among other things, companies can prohibit worker emails designed to encourage or promote unionization. … [Read more...] about New NLRB Ruling: Employers Can Restrict Emails Related to Unionization Efforts
SECURE Act Lauded as Good News for Employers, Employees
New bill increases opportunities for employers, especially small businesses, to offer retirement plans to workers. Earlier this month, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for multiple employer pension plans and pooled employer plans. Highlights of the legislation include expanded benefits for older workers, new parents, and part-time employees. SECURE provides that failure of one employer in a multiple employer retirement plan to meet requirements will not cause all plans to fail. It also establishes pooled employer plans that don’t require common characteristics; and it increases the cap for automatic contributions to pension plans from 10% to 15% of employee compensation. … [Read more...] about SECURE Act Lauded as Good News for Employers, Employees
Get These Hot Policy Issues on Your Radar for 2020
Don’t expect the whirlwind of regulatory activity and change to slow down in 2020. Several hot issues will remain on the front burner, and you need to keep them on your radar moving forward. The top 10 regulatory issues for employers involve everything from overtime pay and worker classification to privacy and healthcare reform, according a report by Paychex. Staying on top of these issues can give you a leg up in hiring, retention, benefit management, and more. … [Read more...] about Get These Hot Policy Issues on Your Radar for 2020
New Bill Focuses on Resident Safety, Caregiver Training
In addition to providing easier access to background information, this new legislation enables facilities to conduct CNA training despite deficiencies. Efforts to protect older Americans and ensure a qualified, capable post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) workforce are gaining traction in Congress moving into 2020. Just last week, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. This is designed to help senior living centers caring for aging adults to better screen, hire, and retain quality staff. … [Read more...] about New Bill Focuses on Resident Safety, Caregiver Training
Labor Department Approves Apprenticeship Program for Certified Nursing Assistants
Increasingly, government officials see innovative, robust training programs as a means to address workforce shortages; and they’re turning their attention to healthcare. As part of its efforts to expand job training in the U.S., the Department of Labor (DOL) has given one large senior living provider permission to launch an apprenticeship program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The program will provide select individuals with on-the-job and technical training to advance their careers and help address a projected nationwide shortage of healthcare workers and professional caregivers. … [Read more...] about Labor Department Approves Apprenticeship Program for Certified Nursing Assistants
New Bill Seeks to Boost Support for Healthcare Worker Background Check
The PROTECTS Act aims to shield seniors from abuse and help healthcare organizations better weed out job candidates with disqualifying histories. Late last month, the Promote Responsible Oversight & Targeted Employee Background Check Transparency for Seniors (PROTECTS) Act (S. 2574) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. Designed to help protect older adults and post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) residents from abuse by improving healthcare worker hiring practices, the bill is expected to be passed out of the Senate Finance Committee any day now. Specifically, the bill would expand access to the National Practitioner Data Bank for Medicare & Medicaid providers to conduct background screenings on potential employees. This source of information is currently inaccessible to some Medicare and Medicaid providers, making it difficult and expensive … [Read more...] about New Bill Seeks to Boost Support for Healthcare Worker Background Check
Do Your Employees Really Understand Family Leave?
Assuming your workers have the FMLA facts could leave you short-handed at a busy time of year or worse. With the holidays and a new year approaching, family issues often are front and center for your workers. Now is a good time to review family and medical leave policies with them to prevent misunderstandings and communication gaps that can lead to turnover and legal troubles. Read on for a refresher course you can share with managers and employees alike. … [Read more...] about Do Your Employees Really Understand Family Leave?
Stakeholders Tell Congress about Family Caregiver Challenges and Possible Solutions
Ways and Means Committee members hear about difficulties faced by family caregivers and how federal/state government agencies, employers, and others can help. A congressional hearing last week highlighted the challenges faced by family caregivers and addressed how government programs and employers’ support might help. “Caring for Aging Americans,” held before the House Ways and Means Committee, featured caregivers, patient/elder advocates, industry leaders, and others. Read on for key insights from those who care for older Americans, both at home and in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) facilities. … [Read more...] about Stakeholders Tell Congress about Family Caregiver Challenges and Possible Solutions
