The Department of Labor (DOL) has released an updated Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Notice. The new version has been reformatted and now includes new contact information for employees who wish to report a claim or a violation of the EPPA. According to the DOL, this material revision is not mandatory, but employers will have to update their notices dated June 2003 with the new...

The U.S. Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has released an updated notice regarding the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) stemming from mandatory changes to state Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). Most significantly, the number of state CHIPs has increased to 38 (previously 36) as a result of the states of Montana, South Dakota...

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released updated 2012 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) amounts, an updated Notice of Withholding, and a new Notice 797. Individuals will now qualify for EITC on their 2011 tax return if they: ►earned under $43,998 and have three or more qualifying children ($49,078 if married filing jointly); ►earned under $40,964 and have two qualifying...

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has released its final rule for the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Employee Rights posting requirement. This will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, 2011. This rule requires employers subject to the NLRA to post notices of employee rights under the NLRA. Subpart A of the rule sets out definitions; prescribes the size, form,...

In January, the IRS released updated 2011 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) amounts and Notice of Withholding information, but has yet to release an official Notice 797. Personnel Concepts, however, has produced an Interim IRS Notice to ensure that our customers and subscribers receive their updated IRS Tax Information. Individuals will now qualify for EITC on their 2010 tax return if they:...

Due to customer demand, the All-On-One FLSA Compliance Poster is now available in Spanish. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), more than 70 percent of U.S. employers are not in compliance with FLSA requirements.  To address this compliance need, Personnel Concepts has developed a poster solution to help employers communicate critical policies under the Fair Labor Standards...

How long do you need to keep your pay records? What special protections must be provided for medical information per the recently modified FMLA and ADA? How should the revamped I-9 and other immigration records be handled? We'll show you how recent developments in Washington, D.C. are changing the way you should manage your workplace records. In just 90 minutes you'll learn the latest...

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...

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...

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...

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the policing division of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has announced a 10-day window for employers to correct minor errors found on audited I-9 forms. ICE is currently on a nationwide sweep to check employer maintenance of the I-9 form, which is used to verify employees' authorization to work in the United States....

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is holding its final public hearing on its proposed new Hazard Communication Standard (Hazcom) in Pittsburgh tomorrow, March 31, 2010. The public commentary period actually closed in late 2009, but OSHA subsequently slated three public hearings. The new standard under discussion is meant to align U.S. practices with the rest of the...