Labor Law Updates

Did you know that federal and state agencies aren’t the only authorities issuing labor law postings? These days, many cities and counties require businesses to post additional employee notices. Because it’s a fairly new trend, you may not even be aware if you’re affected — or to what extent, if you operate in multiple cities. But for total compliance, you need to add local-level postings to your posting compliance responsibilities.

Ten to 15 years ago, the idea of workers doing their jobs remotely was practically unheard of. Not anymore. In addition to a 50 percent increase in remote jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields in 2018, remote work is on the rise in finance, banking, insurance, healthcare, and real estate.

Whether you have two employees, 200 or 200,000, one federal requirement is perfectly clear: You must—absolutely must—display labor law posters in the workplace. Failure to comply could lead to costly fines, which could severely impact the ongoing viability of smaller businesses.

When it comes to mandatory workplace postings, there’s no “one-stop-shop” to visit or “free lunch” to be had. To meet all federal, state and legal posting requirements, and to stay current with recent labor law changes, you need to look beyond your workers’ comp provider and the government.

In the aftermath of the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the controversial issue of weapons in the workplace is once again a hotly debated topic. If you’re a business owner without a clearly defined weapon-free workplace policy, you might find yourself dealing with employees who feel the need to carry a gun for protection while on the job.