Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss President Trump’s four executive orders, including: student loans, evictions, additional federal unemployment, and differed payroll tax obligations, along with their own predictions and more.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Human resources expert weighs in on employers’ OSHA responsibilities for WFH employees
With coronavirus cases spiking across the country, many employers have slowed down or stopped their plans to have employees return to the office. As millions of Americans are now working from home, it’s important for employers to consider their OSHA responsibilities for telecommuting workers.
“Telecommuting injuries are still a bit of a gray area, but you may be held responsible for injuries your employees incur at home if they are performing company duties at the time of the injury, or if they can otherwise prove that their work led to their injury,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, an employment solutions firm with locations across the country.
Wilson says that OSHA used to take a firmer stance on work-at-home accidents and injuries, but in recent years they have revised their policies to say that an employer is not liable for the condition of an employee’s home office. However, Wilson notes that there have been cases where employers have been responsible for injuries that occurred while an employee was engaged in company business at home.
Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss predictions for what’s next in stimulus, including: what’s worked in the past for small and medium sized businesses, the previous five rounds of legislation, federal unemployment benefits, what businesses need for round six, and more.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Chevron criticized for press release touting improved diversity post-layoffs
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to massive layoffs across the country. But some people are questioning whether or not these layoffs are being performed in an equitable and legal fashion.
For example, oil magnate Chevron just made headlines due to their press release which said that their mass layoffs will lead to more diversity, as white males lost positions, giving women and minorities the opportunity to claim those leadership roles.
The press release has been criticized and sparked a larger conversation about how employers should handle the layoff process.
“Layoffs and furloughs are really unavoidable right now,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert. “Especially for those in the travel, hospitality, and event management fields. But that doesn’t mean employers don’t have to be very, very careful when it comes to how they put these layoffs into action.”
Employment expert says latest numbers are a false positive
Last Thursday the Labor of Department released new figures showing that the United States gained 4.8 million new jobs in June. In addition, the unemployment rate hovered at 11.1%, lower than the predicted 12.4% rate. President Trump heralded the numbers as proof that the economy is “roaring back” after months of economic destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The latest job report seems like a major cause for celebration,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, a national employment solutions firm with locations across the county. “However, those of us within the employment industry are not celebrating just yet.”
Wilson, an employment expert who has helped hundreds of clients navigate the impact of coronavirus on the workplace, says “These new hire numbers are a false positive. At Employco, over 200 of our clients received PPP. Many then slowly rehired formerly laid-off employees in May and June.”
Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss legal updates from across the country for July 1st, including: hands-free driving laws, updated overtime rules in Washington, minimum wage increases across multiple states and municipalities, the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance with predictive scheduling, and more.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Employment expert Rob Wilson shares top tips for leveraging Paycheck Protection Program
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the national economy, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) provides employers with updated options for managing their loans. However, it’s important to know the best way to leverage these options and protect your company during this time of upheaval.
“Under changes to the PPPFA signed on June 5, employers will now be eligible for loan forgiveness equal to the amount the borrower spent on rent, utilities, and mortgages during the 8-week or 24-week covered period or alternative covered period,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and human resources expert. “Up to 40% of payroll costs can also be covered under these loan terms.”
What is considered a covered payroll cost under the guidelines of the PPPFA?
“Payroll costs can include salary, wages, commissions, or similar compensation, sick leave or medical leave, group insurance, retirement benefits, and cash tips among other possibilities,” says Wilson. “But there are a few exceptions like compensation of an employee whose residence is out the United States.”
Join Employco USA to learn about the LATEST UPDATES to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) following the enactment of the Flexibility Act and revised forgiveness applications.
During this FREE webinar, we’ll:
You’ll also be able to get some clarity on human resource issues including unemployment and payroll. Employco provides HR and payroll solutions to businesses across the country.
There will be a brief presentation to begin the session, but most of the time will be dedicated to answering your specific questions!
FREE REGISTRATION
You’ll be able to join us at 11:00am CT on Friday, June 26th from your computer, tablet, or smartphone (you can also dial-in):
You can also use our registration form to submit questions you’d like to see answered/covered during the webinar.
Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss reopening the workplace; from performing a building walkthrough to identifying hazards and how to address them, optimizing your HVAC filtration system, following CDC recommendations, conducting an employee survey, limiting staff back at one time, having a plan in place if someone shows symptoms, and more.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Employment trends expert discusses crucial ruling & what employers need to know
Just in time for Pride Month, the Supreme Court has made the landmark decision to extend new protections to LGBTQIA workers. Today, the Supreme Court made changes to federal civil rights law to include additional protections to gay, lesbian and transgender workers, providing pushback to previous attempts that sought to limit the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
“The Supreme Court ruling is being celebrated as an important step in creating a more supportive and safer workplace for millions of LGBT Americans,” says Rob Wilson, employment expert and President of Employco USA, an employment solutions firm with locations across the country.
Wilson says the new ruling is important as previous research has shown many employers have both implicit and explicit bias against transgender workers.
“A recent survey led by the DC Office of Human Rights found that 48 percent of employers showed bias against hiring a transgender individual, even if the applicant was more highly qualified than others. And, nearly 90% of transgender individuals report workplace harassment, says Wilson. “And other research has shown that employers and coworkers can be hostile towards gay or lesbian workers.”