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| Issue: # 1 Vol. 5 | April 2010 | |
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And you thought 2009 was a busy year in HR? There is a lot going on in 2010 in HR legislation that impacts you, your business and your employees. We have been sending news announcements to you as events are occurring. Following are some things that you may have overlooked as some of the major changes have been happening. I hope that you find this information helpful and please look for more information that we will be sending on Health Care Reform. |
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LEGISLATIVE CORNER | |
Feds' Announce Texting Ban
If your company employs drivers, you'll need to pay close attention to a federal rule that was just announced - and has also just gone into effect.
The Department of Transportation announced new guidelines that prohibits texting by drivers of commercial vehicles, such as trucks, buses and vans.
The rule applies to any interstate truck drivers and commercial bus and van drivers who carry more than eight passengers. Drivers can be fined up $2,750.
Businesses should warn covered drivers about the new fine.
Labor Department Toughens Enforcement on Internships
In recent days, there have been several news reports about the legality of unpaid internships and the Labor Department's plan to crack down on employers' who use unpaid interns.
For example, this week The New York Times reported that Nancy J. Leppink, the Acting Head of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, confirmed that the agency is "cracking down" on unpaid internships.
According to Ms. Leppink, "If you're a for-profit employer or you want to pursue an internship with a for-profit employer, there aren't going to be many circumstances where you can have an internship and not be paid and still be in compliance with the law."
According to the Department of Labor (DOL), there are six criteria that employers must use to determine whether an intern should be paid. Other than what has appeared in news reports, there is little information on how the agency intends to increase enforcement on unpaid internships.
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BENEFITS CORNER | | Omni's 401k Plan Web Access
This is a reminder to clients/employees that American National does not send quarterly statements. However, employees can view their information at any time on the web.
Click on http://401k.anico.com (Am Nat'l Retirement Plan Info Center) to access your account.
When accessing your account on line for the first time, your user ID is your Social Security Number (do not use dashes or spaces), and your password is the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
Contact Omni Resource at 410-224-7550 if you have any questions or need further assistance. |
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FYI... CORNER | | | Too Hot or Too Cold?
Productive Office Tempatures
Workplace performance increases with temperatures up to between 69.8 degrees and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with the highest productivity at around 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a study by researchers from the Helsinki University of Technology, Laboratory for Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning in Finland, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Berkeley, Calif.
Another study by Cornell University conducted at Insurance Office of America's headquarters in Orlando, Fla., found that chilly workers make more errors and potentially increase a worker's hourly labor cost by 10 percent.
"The results of our study also suggest raising the temperature to a more comfortable thermal zone saves employers about $2 per worker, per hour," Cornell professor Alan Hedge said in a news statement. Hedge teaches design and environmental analysis.
The challenge, though, is agreeing on a comfortable temperature. |
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REMINDERS... | | |
Don't forget the Federal Government has OK'd H.R. Bill 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. Refer to Omni's email titled 'House OKs Tax Credits for Hiring', dated March 29, 2010 for more details.
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Watch for updates from OMNI regarding the Health Care Reform Act. |
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High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation. (Charles Kettering)
Sincerely,
Jeff Jenson
Omni Resource, Inc |
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