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THE BEACON 
 
Monthly Newsletter About Workforce Development Issues 
  
   
Welcome. In this issue of The Beacon, we look at the memo issued by the DOL on independent contractor misclassifications, the VETS-4212 filing portal now open, OSHA's new confined space standard and more.
  
DOL Issues Memo on Independent Contractor Misclassifications

As the economy begins to heat up, the Wage-and-Hour Division of the Department of Labor will be focusing on employer classification of workers. David Weil, the US DOL Wage-and-Hour Administrator, has written an Administrator's Interpretation reviewing the factors in evaluating employee vs independent contractor status as a guide for employers.
 
  
VETS-4212 Filing Portal Now Open

The VETS-4212 reporting cycle for 2015 is now open, and the filing deadline for the reports is September 30. 
 


Court Gavel 2
New Law Creates Exceptions Under Employer Shared Responsibility and HSA Eligibility Rules Based on Veterans' Health Coverage
 
The President has signed highway funding legislation (the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-41, � 4007, July 31, 2015), which includes provisions that change how the employer shared responsibility rules under Code � 4980H and the HSA eligibility rules take into account veterans' health coverage. 
 
 


 
OSHA Issues A New Confined Space Standard - "What All Employers and Contractors Need to Know" - Milton Jacobs, CSP, MPH
  
As many of you are aware, OSHA finally passed its long-awaited "confined space" standard for the construction industry.  This new law has an effective date of August 3, 2015.  It not only impacts contractors, but all employers as well (manufacturers, building owners, property managers, etc.).
 


courtroom  
Court Limits Treble Damages in Payment of Wages Suit
  
A Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled that an employer who failed to pay all accrued wages and unused vacation at time of an employee's termination, but subsequently paid the amount owed before being sued civilly, was liable for treble damages only on the forgone interest as a result of the delay.
 


money in hand  
Failure to Track Lunch Breaks in Timekeeping System Focus of Lawsuit
  
An employee of a Massachusetts company sued her employer in a class action lawsuit for its failure to pay her, and similarly situated employees, overtime pursuant to G.L.C. 151 Section 1A. 
 


 
The Employee Engagement Survey Goes Above and Beyond
 
By Pam Thornton
  
We all know that there is no magic bullet when it comes to managing, developing and retaining our employees.  Understanding our employees is one of the hardest jobs (of the many) that HR managers have!
 


 
Manufacturing Day 2015 - Recruiting the Next Generation!
 
  
On Friday, October 2, 2015, manufacturers from across the country will open their doors to showcase their facilities and career opportunities during this year's Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing organizations want to change the perception of a career in manufacturing by inviting students, guidance counselors, parents and employees to open houses, public tours and career workshops that will be held at plants and factories across the country.
 


 

Membership Corner...
 

As we enter the month of September, we would like to acknowledge our newest members who joined EANE in August. To learn about our newest members....

 

 

 




 

  
People.  Business.  Success.
  
Agawam, MA   |  Waterbury, CT   |  Auburn, MA   | Lincoln, RI

For more information:

 

Meredith Wise
Employers Association of the Northeast
877-662-6444