Quick Hits - June 16, 2021 - American Society of Employers - ASE Staff

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Quick Hits - June 16, 2021

Congress may step in with incentives for hiring:  With millions of Americans still out of work and job openings at a record high, policy makers are dealing with an unexpected problem: How to coax people back into the labor force.  Congressional lawmakers from both parties are considering incentives such as providing federal funding to pay for hiring bonuses for workers and expanded tax credits for employers. A handful of states are moving to implement such programs on their own, without waiting for action from Washington. A group of House Democrats introduced a proposal last month to expand a tax credit for employers who hire disadvantaged workers, including the long-term unemployed and people who receive federal benefits such as nutrition assistance. The plan, which has the backing of the National Restaurant Association and International Franchise Association, would expand the size of the credit to 50% of the first $10,000 in wages for two years—up from 40% of the first $6,000 in wages for one year under current law—and allow employers to receive the credit for former workers they hire back.  With this issue rising in the eyes of lawmakers, expect a variety of options to be proposed.  The question will be whether any bill will be passed.  Source:  The Wall Street Journal 6/3/21

Speaking of government support for hiring and training:  The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is authorized until December 31, 2025 (Section 113 of Division EE of P.L. 116-260 -- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). The WOTC fact sheet offers an overview of key information about the tax credit.  For additional information about WOTC and eligible targeted groups,  see https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit .  Source:   DOL

Michigan is joining the back to work effort:  As the economy continues to reopen, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) launched a new ‘Back to Work’ effort to highlight programs and services that help businesses and their current workforce needs.  The new online resource – Michigan.gov/BackToWork – centralizes programs and services aimed at helping employers fill job openings, provide safe, healthy work environments for workers, and address other business-related needs. “As Michigan's economic outlook continues to improve, and we get back to a new normal, our administration is turning our attention to uplifting Michiganders and supporting businesses in getting back to work,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We’re looking to the future. By providing tangible resources for businesses who need our immediate assistance after a challenging year, we ensure we build back even stronger.”  Source:  State of Michigan 6/4/21

COVID-19 vaccination side effects not recordable for OSHA purposes:  In a dramatic shift in its enforcement position with respect to the recordability of adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccines, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on May 21, 2021, published a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) establishing that employers do not need to record adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccines on their OSHA 300 Logs, at least through May of 2022. The enforcement position applies regardless of whether an employer requires, recommends, or incentivizes employees to receive the vaccine.  Source:  US DOL

Good news – Paycheck Fairness Act blocked in Senate:  Senate Republicans blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act from advancing to the Senate floor for consideration. The bill, which was aimed at closing the gender pay gap, needed 60 votes to move forward, but it was voted down 49-50, with all but one Republican Senator opposing the legislation. The bill passed the House of Representatives in April; however, its failure to advance in the Senate was expected as Republican lawmakers had publicly opposed the bill. The legislation sought to materially amend the Equal Pay Act by significantly narrowing employers’ primary defense to pay discrimination claims – that an identified pay disparity is the result of a factor “other than sex.” If passed, the bill would have required employers to prove that any disparity was due to “a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training, or experience.” The Paycheck Fairness Act would also have instituted a national pay transparency requirement and a nationwide ban on requests for prior salary history of applicants. Republican lawmakers opposing the legislation argued that it would essentially eliminate an employer’s ability to differentiate employees' pay based on skills, qualifications, or experience without being subjected to litigation.  Source:  Fortney & Scott 6/9/21

Returning to the office?  Do your clothes fit? As employers call their staff back to the office, personal stylist Mellicia Marx said she’s hearing new and longtime clients say they’re concerned about fitting into their old clothes. “As it is, heading back to the office can feel like going from 0 to 100 with little support. When you feel critical of your body, that just adds to that stress,” said Marx, who owns the personal styling company Poplin Style Direction. “It can make folks dread going back to work rather than seeing the positive aspects like reuniting with co-workers in real life, visiting a favorite lunch spot, or meeting friends for happy hour,” Marx said. If your workplace leans on the formal side, online personal stylist Michelle T. Sterling recommends building up a mini wardrobe capsule with the following items: Slacks, jackets, skirts in black ― and if you can swing it, the same items in navy, heather gray, or white. “Decide what neutral color appeals to your taste, then add a handful of tops that you like in color to mix things up,” she said. “Then mix and match those tops with your black staple pieces and let’s say your navy staple pieces. That can be your professional wardrobe cluster to get you through the summer.” Source:  HuffPost 6/4/21

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