NEWS IN HUMAN RESOURCES

• 6/28/2024in Human Resources

  REMINDER: New Exempt Salary Threshold begins 7/1/24

  The first increase to the exempt salary threshold slated in the Department of Labor’s Final Rule released by the Department of Labor in April goes into effect July 1, 2024.  As of this date, the standard salary threshold for exempt employees will be $844 per week ($43,888 annually).  Exempt employees making less than this amount will need to be converted to hourly or their salary must be increased.  
• 5/16/2024in Human Resources

  HR ALERT: DOJ Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Reschedule Marijuana

  On May 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking initiating a formal rulemaking process to consider reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I drug (e.g., heroin, LSD) to a Schedule III drug (e.g., ketamine, Tylenol with codeine) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). 
• 4/29/2024in Human Resources

  EEOC Releases Workplace Guidance to Prevent Harassment

  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published final guidance on harassment in the workplace, “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace.” By providing this resource on the legal standards and employer liability applicable to harassment claims under the federal employment discrimination laws enforced by the EEOC, the guidance will help people feel safe on the job and assist employers in creating respectful workplaces.

  
  
• 4/23/2024in Human Resources

  HR ALERT: DOL Issues New Final Overtime Rule: New Salary Threshold as of 7-1-24

  The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized updates to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations, affecting salary threshold requirements for exempt and highly compensated employees.

  Key Changes:

  • Effective July 1, 2024: The standard salary threshold for exempt employees will increase to $844 per week ($43,888 annually); the total compensation threshold for highly compensated employees will increase to $132,964 annually.
  • Effective January 1, 2025: The standard salary threshold will rise to $1,128 per week ($58,656 annually) for exempt employees; the total compensation threshold for highly compensated employees will increase to $151,164 annually.
  • Starting July 1, 2027: Salary thresholds will be updated every three years based on current wage data.

  Details about the new regulations are available on the Department of Labor website.

• 4/22/2024in Human Resources

  HR ALERT: 2024 Title IX Regulations Providing Protections Against Sex Discrimination Released

  The U.S. Department of Education recently released its updated final regulations enforcing Title IX which will govern sex discrimination complaints regarding conduct that occurs on or after August 1, 2024.  The new rules expand the definition of sexual assault and harassment.  This means schools could investigate more cases of discrimination, abuse, or harassment filed by people on campus under the scope of the law.  The 2024 Regulations also redefine “sexual harassment” as “sex-based harassment.”

  
  
• 4/15/2024in Human Resources

  EEOC Issues Final Regulation on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), providing important clarity that will allow pregnant workers the ability to work and maintain a healthy pregnancy and help employers understand their duties under the law. The PWFA requires most employers with 15 or more employees to provide “reasonable accommodations,” or changes at work, for a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship.