With the pandemic and related economic downturn, many Americans, experts report, are experiencing higher than normal levels of stress, anxiety and worry about the future. And these stresses, without doubt, are affecting employers and employees at home and in the...
New Maryland Law Requires Employers Give Notice Before Reducing Operations
The Maryland Economic Stabilization Act will require Maryland employers, beginning October 1, 2020, to provide notice before a company conducts a “reduction in operations.” This new law, Senate Bill 780, applies to employers with 50 or more employees. Under this...
Pivoting Your Recruitment Strategies For the New Normal
With the pandemic in its fifth month, it’s hard to believe the US unemployment rate was 3.5% just last February. Flash forward a few months: the jobless rate hit 11.1% (in June) while the job “quits rate” (a measure of those who leave their jobs...
Minimum Wage Hikes Begin July 1 in Montgomery County, MD and DC
Please note two minimum wage rate increases that go into effect next Wednesday, July 1, 2020 for Montgomery County, MD and the District of Columbia (DC): Montgomery County’s minimum wage increases to $14/hour for employers with 51+ employees; $13.25/hour for employers...
A Managers’ Toolkit: Helping Employees Through Today’s Crises
With the COVID-19 pandemic now in its fourth month and with business conditions still uncertain, companies and organizations are working fast to pivot their normal routines and processes to maintain business continuity. All told, there’s little doubt employees in...
Reopening Planning Resources and Tips from the impactHR Team
With the coronavirus lockdown in place over the last two months, it’s hard to miss the new announcements from local and state governments that a slow, gradual period of reopening should commence. With many facets of the crisis still bedeviled by uncertainties,...
Federal Contractors: OFCCP Releases New Voluntary Self-Identification Disability Form
The US Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released a streamlined and revised version of its Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form (CC-305). Key note: Federal contractors and subcontractors have until August 4, 2020 to implement the...
CDC Announces Additional Symptoms to Be Aware of With COVID-19
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week announced it has added six new symptoms to be aware of for those who may have been exposed to the coronavirus: Chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat Repeated shaking with chills A loss of taste or...
Building Employee Engagement and Morale in the Midst of the Crisis
While we all continue to do our part to slow and halt the spread of the virus, the fact is many individuals, families and business owners also are dealing with the effects of the extreme economic downturn. Many business owners are doing their best to balance the...
Covered Employers Must Post Employee Notice on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
For the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) passed into law last week, the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division requires all covered employers to now post a notice of the FFCRA requirements in conspicuous places on their premises....