Still can’t find workers? The number of available jobs exceeded unemployed Americans by 1 million at end of 2018, according to the Labor Department. That's the highest level of available jobs on record dating back to 2000.
Michigan Paid Sick Leave Poster now available: Effective March 29, 2019, the Paid Medical Leave Act, 2018 PA 338, as amended, requires covered employers to display the new poster in a conspicuous place that is accessible to eligible employees. Click here for a copy of the poster.
EEO-1 reporting opening in March: Due to the partial lapse in appropriations, the opening of the EEO-1 has been postponed until early March 2019. The deadline to submit EEO-1 data will be extended until May 31, 2019.
It used to be that many of Michigan's college graduates left the state to go to Chicago. Plentiful jobs, a vibrant downtown, and reasonable costs for living. But that has changed. Although the city is vibrant, Chicago is expensive, and businesses are leaving. Illinois’ reputation has taken a hit in past years. Since 2000 two out of four governors were convicted and sentenced. Moreover, Illinois’ constitution has been read by the Illinois Supreme...
It’s OSHA time again: For employers who are required to maintain work-related injury and illness records, it’s that time of year again. Employers covered by OSHA’s recordkeeping rule are required to prepare and post the OSHA Form 300A, “Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses,” beginning February 1 and keep the form posted until April 30.
EEO-1 reporting likely delayed: With the partial government shutdown impacting the EEOC, it is likely that the EEO-1 reporting will be delayed. The EEOC had apparently planned to open the 2018 EEO-1 filing website during the second or third week of January 2019, with a planned filing deadline of March 31, 2019
Governor Whitmer signs executive directive expanding equal opportunity with the state: On January 7, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2019-9 focused on assuring equal opportunity in state employment, contracting, grant and loan programs, and the provision of state services.
IRS releases new travel rates: The IRS has released the optional standard mileage rates for 2019. The standard mileage rates for 2019 are 58 cents per mile for business uses, 20 cents per mile for medical uses, and 14 cents per mile for charitable uses.
Now that it's 2019, the crystal ball is brought out to provide a glimmer of the future. What should HR expect down the road? How can HR be more proactive and ahead of the curve? In HR, it’s like putting out fires every day, and strategic thinking goes to the wayside when every minute something new and distracting takes precedence. The following are predictions by various seers as to HR in 2019 and beyond.
If government shuts down, what exactly happens? Sometimes lost in the discussions of the government shutdown brinksmanship is that, this time, things are a bit different.
IRS extends filing time for 1095s: Insurers, self-insuring employers, other coverage providers, and applicable large employers now have until March 4, 2019,
Millennials are no different than their parents, just poorer: Millennials are probably tired of being called out all the time. Truth is, they are very similar to previous generations (and for those Millennials reading this, the Boomers got a lot of flack as well in their time).
Michigan interest rates rising: The Michigan interest rate for underpayments and overpayments of taxes has increased from 5.41% to 5.9% for the period of January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019. Source: Michigan Department of Treasury, Revenue Administrative Bulletin 2018-23, November 13, 2018
Two more states increase minimum wage: The mid-term elections have ushered in a wage boost for workers in Arkansas and Missouri. Voters approved ballot initiatives that will raise the minimum wage in Arkansas from its current $8.50 an hour to $11.00 an hour in 2021. In Missouri, voters gave the go-ahead to increase the state minimum wage of $7.85 an hour to $12.00 an hour by 2023.
Employees looking for new jobs while at work: Most professionals feel confident testing the employment waters, even from their current office, research suggests. In a survey from global staffing firm Accountemps, 78% of workers said they would feel at least somewhat comfortable looking for a new job while with their present company