As record-breaking temperatures are steadily becoming the norm nationwide, both employers and legislatures have faced urgent calls to protect employees from the increased risk of heat-related illness, particularly in the sweltering summer months. With average  global temperatures continuing to trend upward, state officials and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are working to develop and implement a patchwork of standards and enforcement initiatives to combat the intensifying indoor and outdoor heat hazards.

The minimum annual salary for most overtime-exempt employees will increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and then increase again to $58,656 on January 1, 2025, under a  new overtime rule coming from the US Department of Labor (DOL).

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.

When summer approaches, the number of minors (people under 18 years of age) in the workplace increases, as students who have been in school go on their summer breaks and many look for work. Hiring minors makes good business sense to many companies. Nonetheless, employers must operate in compliance with a variety of labor laws and be knowledgeable of their responsibilities when using child labor.

Under federal anti-discrimination laws, discrimination against employees based on age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), race, color, national origin, disability, religion, and genetic information is prohibited for employers with 15 or more employees (20 for age discrimination). However, many state or local laws go above and beyond the federal requirements.

Elections are often divisive - particularly when it is a presidential election cycle. Polarizing campaign tactics that leverage wedge issues, economic uncertainty, and social unrest can all contribute to a charged national climate. The 2024 election season exemplifies these challenges, the effects of which often make their way into the workplace. As a result, employers should consider certain measures to address these challenges in a way that is compliant and maintains productivity, while also supporting employees' ability to engage in respectful discussions and participate in the election process itself. This article surveys some of the top issues employers should consider.

Your employee files accumulate a lot of paperwork, from new hire forms and performance reviews to safety documents and medical records. The storage, care, and ongoing maintenance of employee records are not only important to your employees, but failure to do so could expose you, as an employer, to potential liability, including monetary fines and criminal penalties.

National Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated every first Friday in March, which is March 1^st this year. It was started in 1995 by Dr. Bob Nelson, who wrote the book 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees. This day is an opportunity to remember the importance of appreciating employees.

When an employee is failing to get their work done, having attendance issues, or causing trouble in the workplace, you should address the problem. But what would be the best time to do so? As soon as possible!