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Issue #75    
News from UEA
January 2014
UEA Welcomes Dan Blair!

Dan Blair has joined UEA as Director of Member Services. For over 13 years, he's helped employers with everything from employee relations to employment law to coaching and training.  As an employment law attorney, Dan is especially skilled at assisting with those tricky situations where HR practice and legal concerns collide, such as leave and disability administration.   Dan has delivered over 150 classes on supervision, performance management, harassment prevention, and much more.  He received his law degree from Seattle University and a psychology degree from Michigan State.  

 

Dan is anxious to meet our UEA members - don't be surprised if you receive a call from him. All of the UEA staff are ready to help employers navigate through murky compliance issues as well as any employee and labor relations matters. Just contact us!  

 

 

Post Your 2013 OSHA Recordkeeping Summary by Feb. 1

All employers maintaining OSHA 300 logs for workplace illnesses and injuries must post their 2013 annual summary by February 1, 2014.  Employers must utilize the annual summary form (Form 300A) when complying with the posting requirements.  The forms and instructions are available on OSHA's website.

 

If your workplace had no recordable work-related injuries or illness in 2013, you are still required to complete and post the summary form, with a zero in the total line. If your organization has multiple locations, a separate log must be posted for each location.

 

The log must be posted from February 1 to April 30 each year and must be posted in a conspicuous place where employees can see it.


Quick Links

Greetings!

The 240 hour eligibility requirement for Portland sick leave has raised a lot of questions with employers.  Luckily, we have answers!  Our lead story gives an update on the most common concerns.  Other timely issues include the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace and distracted driving (turns out those hands-free devices don't help).  Finally, don't forget to post your OSHA recordkeeping summary by February 1! 
 
Portland Sick Time FAQ Update!

  

Pressing Question The City of Portland updated its frequently asked questions about the 240 hour eligibility requirement under the Portland Sick Leave ordinance. UEA's employer helpline has fielded a significant number of calls about this issue.  We hope this summary of some common questions and their answers help clarify what has been a murky issue. 


Click here to read all about the 240 hour eligibility requirement.

Heard on the Helpline
Should We Allow the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in the Workplace? 

Electronic or e-cigarettes may spark a dilemma for employers. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a nicotine solution (which may contain tobacco, flavor and other chemicals) and emit a vapor or mist. Many versions of e-cigarettes closely resemble regular cigarettes, right down to their glowing tips. As reflected in recent calls to UEA's employer helpline, e-cigarettes are cropping up in the workplace, calling for employers to respond and develop policies to govern their use.   

Click here to find out how other employers have approached this issue and why they did so.

 

Don't Let Distracted Drivers Make Your Company a Statistic!

 

The use of cell phones while driving is a serious public safety issue, causing a quarter of all car accidents and over 5,000 fatalities a year. Studies show that hands-free technology has not reduced the number of distracted driving accidents as drivers using hands-free devices remain distracted by the communication rather than the device.       

 

Click here to learn how your company can protect itself and its employees from damage caused by distracted driving.

Cell Phone Math

 

UEA is a trusted resource for Northwest employers.  Our experts are standing by to answer your HR, labor relations, and employee relations questions.  Give us a call--we can help!
 
Sincerely,
 
United Employers Association