California Passes Broad Range of Labor and Employment Laws – In late September 2024, California passed a series of bills that will make several important changes to the state’s labor and employment laws. Each of these new laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: OSHA Proposes Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard
On Aug. 30, 2024, the DOL’s OSHA published a proposed rule to protect workers from heat injury and illness. The new standard would apply to all employers conducting indoor and outdoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agricultural sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction, subject to limited exceptions. If finalized, the new standard would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplaces.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: New 2025 Benefit Plan Limits
Many benefit plan limits have changed for the new calendar year. Plans such as 401(k), FSA, and HSA all have new maximums set for 2025.
Click the following link to access our Infographic – 2025 Limits to Know.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: From the HR Hotline
Our HR teammates continue to provide expertise and serve as a valuable resource for navigating the pressing challenges facing employers today. This team fields questions each day from employers seeking answers to their HR questions.
In recent months, employers have been requesting clarification or seeking guidance on the following topics:
- Are we required to provide employees with voting leave?
- How much will the ACA pay-or-play affordability percentage increase by in 2025?
- How do I tell if our business is covered under the ACA?
- How do we determine whether our prescription drug coverage is creditable?
- We have an employee who is requesting FMLA leave on an intermittent or reduced-schedule basis. How does intermittent FMLA work?
We created a summary of the guidance related to questions and answers to these common HR situations.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: Best Practices for Employee Discipline
Employee discipline is a necessary but often fraught element of workforce management. Disciplinary action taken in lieu of immediate termination can help mitigate the risk of potential wrongful termination claims, but failure to handle employee discipline properly can negatively affect employee morale and expose employers to other legal claims. Therefore, it is important for employers to consider a variety of factors before disciplining employees.
To minimize legal risks and protect employee morale, we’ve created 2 new documents related to employee discipline best practices:
Continue readingHR Newsletter: HR Edge Q4 2024
We recently released our 4th quarter HR Edge Newsletter. This edition of the newsletter includes the following information:
- 5 Attraction and Retention Trends to Monitor in 2025
- Why Employers Are Offering Family-building Benefits
- Engaging Employees During the Great Gloom
Read the full article here: HR Edge Quarterly Newsletter
Continue readingHR Newsletter: Workers Likely to Explore Job Market in 2025
Although employee quits have trended down in 2024, EY’s 2024 Work Reimagined Survey report found that 38% of employees are likely to leave their jobs in the next year. According to the survey results, EY advises that to maintain a talent advantage, employers may need to hone their attraction and retention tactics to prioritize enhancing workplace culture, expanding rewards, and building agile employee skill sets.
The survey revealed that employees are generally searching for the following benefits:
- Bonus and incentives: 37%
- Health and well-being benefits: 33%
- Paid time off: 33%
- Compensation tied to cost of living: 31%
- Flexible schedules: 30%
- Work from anywhere/remote: 22%
- Training classes to build skills: 21%
Podcast: Navigating Health Insurance Renewals
Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month’s HR podcast as they break down critical topics surrounding benefits, renewal increases, and open enrollment. With renewal rates climbing for the third consecutive year, they explore strategies companies can adopt to navigate these challenges. They touch on adjusting plan designs, using varying communication methods, and give actionable tips to help employers manage renewals effectively.
Tune in for practical insights on staying compliant and ensuring your employees are well-informed during open enrollment. Have questions? Reach out to Employco today, hr@employco.com.
HR Chat w/Employco USA: Bossware
Curious about how companies are tracking remote employees? Join Rob and Jason in this HR Chat as they break down the rise of “bossware” — the latest tech monitoring tools, from tracking mouse movements to seat scales. With many employers pushing for a return to the office, they explore the balance between productivity and privacy.
Need guidance on remote work policies? Contact hr@employco.com.
HR Newsletter: State Legislative Updates
Maine Issues FAQs for Paid Family and Medical Leave Program – The Maine Department of Labor has published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the state’s paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. The department included a caveat at the beginning of the FAQs stating that they are subject to change pending the adoption of forthcoming rules.
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