Articles by Editorial Staff

Contractors Fined Nearly $700K After OSHA Inspection

Contractors Fined Nearly $700K After OSHA Inspection

November 15, 2022
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On November 10, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalized two contractors nearly $700,000 after an OSHA inspection. In summary, the inspection occurred after an employee of a demolition contractor lost his legs when a concrete platform collapsed. Additionally, two other workers suffered injuries when the collapse happened during demolition and asbestos hazard abatement ...
Public Input Sought on Next EEOC Strategic Plan

Public Input Sought on Next EEOC Strategic Plan

November 9, 2022
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On November 4, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released for comment a draft of the next EEOC Strategic Plan. Accordingly, this draft of the Strategic Plan encompasses Fiscal Years 2022-2026. It is important to note that this draft plan is still under review by the EEOC. Given that, the plan is subject to its full approval before becoming final. Earlier, the EEOC released a ne...
NLRB Memo on Electronic Surveillance

NLRB Memo on Electronic Surveillance

November 8, 2022
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Late last month, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB’s) General Counsel announced her intention to protect employees from electronic surveillance. Accordingly, on October 31st, 2022, General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a memo on unlawful electronic surveillance and automated management practices. Generally, Abruzzo sees the NLRB achieving her goal by enforcing current law and applyin...
Retailer Fined $2.7M for Willful OSHA Violations

Retailer Fined $2.7M for Willful OSHA Violations

November 8, 2022
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On November 1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalized a national retailer $2.7 million for willful OSHA violations. Similarly, this past October, OSHA fined the retailer (Dollar General Corp.) more than $1.6 million in penalties for putting its workers' safety at risk. Markedly, since 2017, Dollar General Corp. has received more than $12.3 million in initial penaltie...
Ninth Circuit Rules on FLSA Compensable Time

Ninth Circuit Rules on FLSA Compensable Time

November 2, 2022
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On October 24, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) issued a decision on FLSA compensable time. In brief, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Markedly, the FLSA requires that employers pay covered nonexempt workers a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 per hour. Any covered individuals w...
CA & NYC Announce Pay Transparency Laws

CA & NYC Announce Pay Transparency Laws

November 1, 2022
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As current government agencies work to expand employee rights, pay transparency laws are spreading across the nation. While many current pay transparency laws are state-level, major cities are moving forward with their regulations. These pay transparency laws require employers to be “transparent” with salary ranges and benefits. Explicitly, depending on the area, these laws could require employ...
Business Faces Penalties Over $1 Million in Lockout/Tagout Violations

Business Faces Penalties Over $1 Million in Lockout/Tagout Violations

November 1, 2022
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On October 27, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced over $1.2 million in potential fines against a company for lockout/tagout violations. In short, an Ohio vinyl tile manufacturer faces $1,232,705 in proposed penalties after a worker suffered severe injuries. Subsequently, an OSHA inspection found that the April 2022 injuries resulted from a machine catching the wo...
A building sign for the Internal Revenue Service

IRS Issues Tax Inflation Adjustments, Contribution Limit Increases

October 26, 2022
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During the past week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued information on tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2023. The agency also released updated information on 401(k) and IRA contribution limit amounts for the same tax year. Basically, the dollar amounts used for both the inflation adjustment and the contribution limits will increase. Earlier in August, the IRS announced 2023 Afford...
A group of happy, healthy employees raising their thumbs to indicate happiness and positive mental health.

New Workplace Mental Health Framework Issued

October 25, 2022
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On October 20th, 2022, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a workplace mental health framework outlining employee health and well-being. Overall, the Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace promotes the concept that workplaces play a prominent role in an employee’s health and well-being. Particularly given that the average worker spends half their l...
A gavel resting on top a pile of $100 bills, connoting penalties and fines.

Employers Cited Over $518K for Willful Electrical Safety Violations

October 25, 2022
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued citations to three contractors for willful electrical safety violations totaling $518,037. In summary, the three New Jersey-based entities exposed employees to harm by allowing them to work near energized power lines. Released on October 18, the press release touting the citations continues the tradition of OSHA’s quest to...