California Updates EITC Employer Notification Requirements – On July 10, 2023, California adopted Senate Bill (SB) 131 to update requirements for employers to notify their employees that they may be eligible for the earned income tax credit (EITC). Employers must comply with these new notification requirements beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Read more: California Legal Update
On Aug. 23, 2023, the IRS released the affordability percentage threshold for 2024 plan years under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) pay-or-play rules. For plan years beginning in 2024, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s pay-or-play rules if the employee’s required contribution for self-only (employee-only) coverage does not exceed 8.39% of their household income for the year.
This is a significant decrease from the affordability percentage for 2023 plan years (9.12%) and the lowest this percentage has ever been set since the pay-or-play rules became effective. Applicable large employers (ALEs) will need to consider this affordability percentage in developing their health plan contribution strategies for the 2024 plan year. ALEs may have to reduce the amount they require employees to contribute in 2024 to meet the lower percentage.
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CROWN acts prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s hair texture and style associated with a protected class, such as race. CROWN stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” Hair discrimination tends to disproportionately impact Black individuals, especially women, who wear hairstyles such as braids, twists, locs, Bantu knots, afros, and other hairstyles. CROWN Acts aim to prevent individuals from being subjected to discrimination by unfair workplace dress codes and grooming policies due to their hair texture or style.
Since 2019, many states (California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, etc.) and localities have enacted a CROWN Act, and more are likely to do so in the near future. Therefore, it’s essential that employers, especially those operating in states and localities with these laws, understand CROWN laws and their impact on their organizations and workforce.
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The student loan repayment pause has given borrowers a break from paying for a few years, but starting this October, student loan payments will resume. This comes at a time when many American workers are feeling financially strained. Employers are poised to help employees prepare for repayment and help reduce their emotional and financial stress.
However, employers must be cognizant of finding the right balance for their workforce. While loan relief could help organizations attract and retain talent (often younger generations) impacted by student loans, repayment assistance may seem unfair to workers who do not have such debt.
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On Aug. 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to amend current requirements employees in white-collar occupations must satisfy to qualify for an overtime exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
To qualify for this exemption, white-collar employees must satisfy the standard salary level test, among other criteria. This salary level is a wage threshold that white-collar employees must receive to qualify for the exemption. The DOL is proposing to increase the standard salary level from:
Navigating state-specific HR regulations can be challenging for small businesses. In this blog post, we’ll help you understand the complexities of these regulations and provide strategies to simplify compliance, so you can focus on growing your business.
As a small business owner, it’s essential to comply with HR regulations to avoid penalties and legal issues. However, state-specific HR regulations can be confusing and time-consuming to navigate. In this blog post, we’ll break down the complexities of these regulations and provide you with practical strategies for seamless compliance. By understanding the landscape of state-specific HR regulations and implementing the right practices, you can ensure compliance while dedicating your time and energy to the success of your business.
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Employco USA and Tuckey Law, in collaboration with Food Industry News, are providing a free HR and legal seminar for registered guests on Tuesday, October 10th at Employco’s corporate office in Westmont, IL. Registration is required, space is limited. Appetizers and wine will be provided, parking is free. Read more below for a full list of topics that will be covered. We hope to see you there!
Continue readingRob Wilson, President of Employco USA, was recently interviewed for a Fox Business article titled “Conservative group challenges Kellogg’s workplace diversity programs.”
Snippet from the article:
“I think you’re going to see more cases like this, where either someone like America First or employees who feel that they’ve been discriminated against,” Rob Wilson, president and co-founder of human resources outsourcing company Employco USA, told FOX Business. “This case is going to be watched pretty closely by corporate America just to see what direction EEOC goes at this point.”
Wilson explained that the parties are likely to go through a preliminary mediation process ahead of a potential hearing in the months ahead. He added that a resolution through mediation appears to be unlikely in this case and that he would “expect a hearing in the next six months.”
Read the full article here:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/conservative-group-challenges-kelloggs-workplace-diversity-programs
Check out this snippet from our HR podcast, where Amy Alcott shares the heartfelt tale of her golf beginnings.
“My dad gave me a cut-off golf club about 15 inches long, chopped it off, put some black duct tape on it, and a golf ball, and I started pushing balls into the sprinkler heads in the front yard – which affectionately became known in the neighborhood as the Alcott Golf and Country Club.”
Tune in to the full podcast featuring Amy on our blog:
Podcast: Golf and HR w/Amy Alcott
On this month’s HR podcast, Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by world champion golfer Amy Alcott, Employco’s Golf Ambassador, and business development expert John Carr. They discuss a few HR insights while Amy shares some great golf stories with the team, including how Amy got her start, her first professional tournament, her iconic jump at Mission Hills Country Club, some of her favorite courses she has played, what Employco is bringing to the golf industry, and more!
You’re passionate about golf; we’re passionate about HR and insurance. Contact us today to help eliminate your business headaches, giving you the Power to Compete!
