On June 1st, Connecticut Governor Malloy signed House Bill 5237, An Act Concerning Fair Chance Employment. This new law is referred to as the “Ban the Box” bill. Effective January 1st, 2017, Connecticut employers will be prohibited from asking about criminal history (including prior arrests, convictions and charges) on job applications. Connecticut is now the 19th state to adopt this … Read More
Giving Back: Charitable Giving Opportunities
Accomplished individuals often look for opportunities to express their values and give back through charitable giving. In fact, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet started an initiative called the Giving Pledge, which encourages the world’s wealthiest people to give away much of their fortune to charity. Over 100 notable contributors have made the commitment to dedicate the majority of their wealth … Read More
FLSA Overtime Rule Change
On March 14th, the new Final Regulations on the Fair Labor Standards Act were sent to the Office of Management and Budget for final review. The proposed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) changes to the “white-collar exemption” in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) could make more than 5 million individuals eligible for overtime pay—individuals who currently aren’t eligible. This could … Read More
Creating a Healthy Workplace Challenge
Still trying to figure out how to kick off an employee wellness program? The latest trend is to come up with fun and highly motivating group wellness challenges that are not only a great way to increase morale, but that actually promote lifestyle and behavioral change through active participation in wellness goals or competitions over a multi-week period. A … Read More
2016 Federal Budget Delays ACA’s Cadillac Tax & Suspends Two Other Taxes
On Dec. 18, 2015, President Barack Obama signed a federal budget bill for 2016 into law, which makes significant changes to three tax provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This new law: Delays implementation of the ACA’s Cadillac tax on high-cost group health coverage for two years, until 2020 Imposes a one-year moratorium on the collection of the ACA’s … Read More
Higher minimum wage means higher direct & indirect costs for business owners
The political pressure to enact a $15 federal minimum wage is growing stronger. It’s the stuff of nightmares for business owners, but it may yet become a reality. New York has already passed legislation, with the enthusiastic support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to raise the wage bar for fast food workers to $15. It seems inevitable that figure will soon … Read More
Help your employees get the most out of their benefits
Smart business owners know that to attract and retain quality employees, they must provide a congenial working environment where employees can find opportunity for growth, success, and professional satisfaction. Happy, healthy, productive employees make a business stronger and translate into profits and organizational success. Obviously, base compensation is a key recruitment and retention tool and must be competitive, but owners … Read More
In 2016 OSHA fines may be going up, way up
Buried in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 is a provision that would bring a startling increase to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) fines. Unchanged since 1990 and not indexed to inflation, OSHA fines are set to jump nearly 80% next year, with increases indexed to inflation after 2016. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 tied … Read More
Are you prepared for an OSHA ‘pop-in’?
*ring ring ring* You’re not expecting anyone, but someone’s at the door…it’s your Aunt Elaine, famously resistant to getting a cell phone, who was in the neighborhood and thought she’d take a chance you might be home and drop by. Aunt Elaine may be great, but let’s face it, nobody loves a pop-in. While we tolerate the occasional boundary-crossing friend … Read More
Obesity: The numbers (and costs) are staggering
I’ll start with a piece of good news: the smoking rate among United States adults declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 17.8% in 2013. There’s still a ways to go, but at least the numbers are moving in the right direction. Now, the (very) bad news: Americans are snuffing out the cigarettes but apparently picking up the cheesecake, because more … Read More