In July 2010, Kansas and Wisconsin are joining the multitude of states that ban or otherwise restrict public smoking. Here are the details: KANSAS Effective July 1, 2010, the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act took effect, requiring employers to post the international "no-smoking" symbol at all entrances and indoor public places (for businesses--breakrooms, cafeterias,...

Acting in accord with an amendment to the Nevada Constitution added in 2006, Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek announced that his department is increasing the state minimum wage on July 1, 2010, by 70 cents. Those with health insurance on the job will see their minimum wage rise from $6.55 an hour to $7.25; those without health benefits will receive a raise to $8.25 an hour. Also on...

The State of New Jersey has updated its minimum wage notice.  According to state officials, the change in mandatory and all employers must replace existing notices dated 07/09 with the current version dated 07/10. Under new legislation signed by acting Governor Stephen Sweeney, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development now has the authority to audit any employer who fails to...

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards, has released a new Youth Employment List Poster. Per the agency, this new posting is mandatory and intended for employers who employ workers under the age of 16. The new law requires employers to list the names of all employees under the age of 16 as well as their school year shifts and summer shifts....

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law this past March 23, begins phasing in its health care reform measures this June 21, with more dramatic changes slated for Sept. 23 (the six-month point). Various provisions of the bill directly impact employee health benefit plans and create new rights and obligations for affected organizations, health insurance plans,...

At the request of several Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is further delaying enforcement of the “Red Flags” Rule through December 31, 2010, while Congress considers legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. Yesterday's (May 28, 2010) announcement and the release of an Enforcement Policy Statement do not affect...

Beginning June 19, 2010, federal contractors and subcontractors must notify employees about their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA is the primary law governing relations between unions and employers in the private sector and guarantees the right of employees to organize and to bargain collectively with their employers.   Pursuant to Executive Order...

Iowa has enacted a state mini-WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act, requiring businesses with 25 or more full-time employees to give 30 days advance warning of mass layoffs or company closings. The law goes into effect July 1, 2010. The federal WARN Act affects only those employers with 100 or more workers within a 75-mile radius but requires 60 days' advance notice....

A ban on workplace smoking in Michigan goes in effect this May 1. Though there is no mandated change or addition to required state labor law posters, no smoking signs will have to be installed at every workplace entrance and in outdoor areas, such as patios and rooftops, where smoking may be prohibited. Personnel Concepts offers a couple of solutions to help out business owners and property...

Congress has passed legislation to extend both unemployment benefits and the COBRA health insurance subsidy through the end of May 2010. Both programs had lapsed at the end of March, but a Congressional spring break and arguments over financing the renewal measure stalled its enactment. President Obama quickly signed it into law. The COBRA subsidy allows people who involuntarily lose...

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has revised its Family Leave Act notice. According to the agency, this change is mandatory, and all eligible employers must replace their old notices dated December 2009 with the current version dated March 2010. The notice has been revised to include new information regarding military family leave. The section entitled "How Much Leave...

Under pressure from business interests, the Maine House this week joined the Senate in tabling a bill to index the minimum wage to the Northeast inflation rate. The state minimum wage, as reflected on the Maine State and Federal Labor Law Poster , thus remains at $7.50 an hour, 25 cents more than the federal rate. Maine would've joined 10 other states in indexing its minimum wage to the...

Passing a law with seemingly no fangs to it, Utah has enacted a bill requiring statewide employers to use the E-Verify online system to certify that their new hires have the legal right to work in the United States. Governor Gary Herbert signed the legislation yesterday (April 1, 2010). Though the bill mandates E-Verify usage, it provides for no penalty for those who don't observe the...

Personnel Concepts would like to congratulate Mary Cassidy of Whitney, Texas, for being chosen randomly to win a Nintendo Wii or Amazon Kindle e-book reader from those completing our recent online survey. She selected the Wii, which Personnel Concepts is now providing for her enjoyment. We earlier this year conducted the survey of our customers to obtain valuable feedback so that we may...

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced it will release final regulations for HITECH implementation shortly, though it cautioned that the breach notification rule and increased fine schedule are already in effect. Among other things, the Health information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act brought the same...