See what is new with us and keep up on the latest employment laws and legislation that affect your business with articles by Joe Stein, WNY HR Professional.
National Nurses Week
In honor of National Nurses Week, all healthcare ads will receive a 15% discount in our next issue.
Deadline is Wednesday, May 8 by 3pm.
How do your pay rates stack up?
If you are having trouble finding qualified candidates, it may be due to a lower salary/pay range than your competitors. In today’s tight job market, employers must sometimes entice existing workers away from their competitors, and the best way to do that is with an impressive salary and benefits package.
Here are two websites that show average salaries within the Western New York region, and can be sorted by industry. Make sure that you are staying competitive!
Retirees are returning to work
It is happening more and more frequently - people retire and then find themselves wanting or needing to re-enter the workforce. Is your business taking advantage of these experienced workers?
To target this growing group of workers, include: “Retirees are Welcome to Apply!”, or that your job is “Perfect for Retirees!”
Plus, our paper is perfect for reaching mature workers, since they are more accustomed to job hunting with print than online.
Hiring Success Stories . . .
Greater Woodlawn Federal Credit Union, Connie: “We first advertised on a national job board and found the applicants to be either not qualified or not serious about working.?After advertising with WNY JOBS we hired someone in 3 days, we prefer quality of applicants over quantity.”
Other Successful Hires Last Month:
Asst. Food & Beverage Manager, General Production Worker, Pharmacy Tech, Shipping & Receiving Clerk, Awning Installers, Overnight Coordinator, Personal Assistant, Cemetery Seasonal Workers, Customer Service, HHAs/PCAs, Patient Services Representatives, Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Quality Specialist, Office Associate, Seasonal Concert Staff, Bookkeeper, CDL Driver
Health Force WNY: “I just wanted to share that I’ve spoken with two candidates this week who specifically stated that they found out about us through the WNY JOBS paper. ?Just wanted to say we were glad to hear it and wanted to share with you!”
May 2024 Human Resources Update
Joe Stein, WNY HR Professional
This past April was as busy a time in Human Resources news as ever! If dodging April showers has caused you to be unable to keep abreast of HR current events, then you have found the perfect place for an update.
Let’s start off with the two big items from April and then go from there!
- The U.S. Department of Labor made official, on April 23rd, the long-discussed increase in the federal exempt salary threshold. The increase is scheduled for two main phases, with the number being $43,888/yr. on July 1, 2024, and then $58,656 on January 1, 2025 (then subject to regular increases based on inflation). There is not, however, a change in the current duties test to determine if a position qualifies for exempt status. The rule goes into effect 120 days following its publication in the?Federal Register. The new salary threshold will face state litigation, with the argument being that a salary threshold should not supersede in importance the duties test. Of course, New York has been ahead of the curve and currently is sitting at $58,458 annually.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made a huge announcement on April 23rd, by placing a ban on almost all non-compete agreements in employment contracts.?They also invalidated existing non-compete agreements, except for those with select senior executives. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has already filed a lawsuit in court. challenging that the FTC is empowered to enforce existing law passed by Congress but is not authorized to create new rules. This law would supersede current state laws that have been passed, unless the state legislation provides greater employer protections.
- On April 10th, the U. S. Senate approved repealing the recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) joint employer rule that made it easier for employers that contract with another company for employees to be considered a joint employer. The House had already voted to repeal the rule, but it is expected that President Biden will veto the decision by Congress.
- The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that pizza delivery drivers must be reimbursed for the cost of providing their vehicles for work under the minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).?The Court stopped short of adopting a specific mileage rate or calculation required by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced that the national military veteran hiring benchmark for the next 12 months is 5.2 percent. The veteran hiring goal for federal contractors covered under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) went into effect March 31st.?The 2024 benchmark represents a decrease from 5.4% in 2023. The determination of the annual percentage is based on the national number of veterans in the civilian labor force.?
- The U.S. Supreme Court decided, on April 17th, that job transfers related to discrimination that result in some harm, rather than a significant injury, may be challenged under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This decision significantly lowers the bar for a person to pursue a discrimination lawsuit.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), on March 29th, issued its final rule that authorizes another employee or non-employee to serve as their representative and allows them to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during a workplace inspection. For example, a non-union employee could request an outside union leader to participate in this walkaround. The new rule will take effect on May 31st.
- A reminder that the EEO-1 filing period opened on April 30th.?Employers have until June 4th to complete the necessary EEO-1 report.?On a similar note, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) opened its federal contractor certification period on April 1st. The deadline for applicable federal contractors (and subcontractors) to certify that they have developed and maintained affirmative action plans by July 1st.
Stay tuned for next month and another giant HR Update!
Joe Stein, WNY Human Resources Professional
The following has been prepared for the general information of readers. It is not meant to provide advice regarding any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
DID YOU KNOW...
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