Tag: Regulations

New rule extends FMLA rights to more employees in same-sex marriages

More employees in same-sex marriages will be able to take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as a result of a new rule taking effect March 27. And while employers in states that recognize same-sex marriage already have been operating under a definition of spouse that includes legally married same-sex partners, […]

Proposed West Virginia regulations spell change to wage and hour landscape

by Rodney Bean The West Virginia Division of Labor (DOL) has proposed emergency regulations that, if enforced in their present form, could force West Virginia employers to change by December 31 a number of common wage and hour practices that comply with long-standing federal regulations. Although the state DOL’s emergency rules purport to adopt vast […]

OSHA seeks more comments on injury and illness tracking

by Judith E. Kramer The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended the comment period for the proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. Comments will be accepted through October 14. The proposal, published on November 8, 2013, would amend the agency’s record-keeping regulation to add requirements for the electronic […]

Federal contractor ‘pay transparency’ rule up for comment

by Tammy Binford The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a proposed rule aimed at ensuring that employees of federal contractors are allowed to discuss their compensation. The proposed rule, which was published in the September 17 Federal Register, gives interested parties until December 16 to submit comments. The rule’s language prohibits federal contractors […]

OFCCP releases resources to help contractors comply with new regulations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has posted information on its website to help federal contractors comply with the new regulations pertaining to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. The new resources are: The VEVRAA benchmark database; The Disability […]

Overtime rules: Changes on the way, but specifics scarce

Secretary of Labor Tom Perez has his orders. President Barack Obama on March 13 officially directed him to “modernize and streamline the existing overtime regulations.” The president’s directions further instruct the Department of Labor (DOL) to “address the changing nature of the workplace” and simplify the rules so that they will be “easier for both […]

New resources available on upcoming rules for federal contractors

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has posted new resources on its website to help federal contractors comply with new regulations pertaining to recruiting people with disabilities and veterans. New regulations going into effect March 24 strengthen requirements under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and […]

New regulations delay ACA’s ‘play or pay’ provision for some employers

In yet another unexpected turn in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Obama administration announced Monday that it is delaying the application of the law’s employer responsibility provision (also commonly referred to as the “play or pay” provision) for some small employers until 2016. The administration let the public know about the […]

Obama administration issues long-awaited mental health parity regulations

Today the Obama administration released final regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The MHPAEA is designed to make sure mental health and substance use disorder benefits offered by health plans are in parity with the medical and surgical benefits the plans offer. The […]