Category: Compliance
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Emergency Sick Pay & Documentation: What You Need To Know
Posted on 07.15.2020
The answer to this question is both yes, and no. It’s important to note that there are six reasons you can qualify for Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL), part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): The employee is subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID–19. The employee … Continue reading
Posted in COVID-19, Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation, Proactive Response
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Updated FMLA Forms
Posted on 09.19.2018
An updated set of Family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA) forms for employers has been released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division. The only revision to these forms is an updated expiration date. The previous forms expired on August 31 of this year, but now, the updated forms will be valid through August 31, … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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Fair Labor Laws: Establishing Employee Rights in America
Posted on 08.31.2018
According to the United States Department of Labor, “The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.” Fortunately on Labor Day, we don’t just celebrate … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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Fair Labor Laws: Why They Matter
Posted on 08.27.2018
On Monday, September 3rd, Achilles Group team members and millions of others across the United States will celebrate the 136th Labor Day. Unfortunately, as a people addicted to productivity, many Americans will view this holiday as just another opportunity to get ahead; catching up on work, finally cleaning the house or running errands that slipped … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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How Well Do You Know The ADA?
Posted on 08.14.2018
The Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated its 28th birthday on July 26, 2018. The goal of this Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, is to ensure that all Americans have access to good, family-sustaining employment. In honor of this momentous occasion, we at Achilles Group would like to help … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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Controversial Overtime Rule Struck Down by District Court
Posted on 09.13.2017
A federal court judge in Texas has struck down a controversial overtime change to the Fair Labor Standards Act (or FLSA) put in place by the Department of Labor (DOL) during the Obama Administration. The rule, which was originally scheduled to go into effect last December, was designed to extend overtime pay eligibility for over … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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Compliance Update – I-9 Breaking News!
Posted on 07.26.2017
USCIS released the latest I-9 form (Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification) today, July 17, 2017. The changes are summarized below: Name update: “Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices” changed to “Immigrant and Employee Rights Section”. Deleted “the end of” from the phrase “the first day of employment.” List C addition of “Consular … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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New Overtime Regulations: Final Rule Released
Posted on 05.19.2016
The Department of Labor has published its final rule on new overtime regulations. This update to the Fair Labor Standards Act increases the annual salary threshold for exempt status from $23,660 to $47,476, effective Dec. 1, 2016. Any employee making less than $47,476 per year ($913 per week) will have to be paid time and … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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New FMLA Poster and Employer Guide Now Available
Posted on 05.10.2016
The Department of Labor has issued a new FMLA Notice poster and Employer Guide. Employers are not required to update their FMLA Notice posters at this time; the new version simply features a more reader-friendly layout. All FMLA-covered employers are required to display the FMLA Notice poster prepared by the Department of Labor in a … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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Continue Using the Current I-9 Form
Posted on 04.11.2016
The current Form I-9 expired on March 31, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has said employers should continue using the expired form for employment eligibility verification until further notice. Employers must complete Form I-9 for all newly hired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the U.S. Visit I-9 Central for … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance
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Preparing for New Overtime Regulations
Posted on 03.02.2016
UPDATE: On May 18, 2016, the Department of Labor released its final rule on new overtime regulations, raising the salary threshold for exempt status to $47,476. Click here for more information. The Department of Labor is expected to publish final overtime regulations in July. The proposed update to the Fair Labor Standards Act would increase … Continue reading
Posted in HR Risk Mitigation, Compliance
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Davis-Bacon Act – Contractor and Subcontractor Compliance
Posted on 10.29.2015
Are you familiar with the Davis-Bacon Act? The Davis-Bacon Act is a federal law that applies to contractors and subcontractors performing work on federal contracts or District of Columbia contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair, including painting and decorating of public buildings or public works. Davis-Bacon Act contractors and subcontractors … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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To Sell or Not to Sell – Fundraising in The Workplace
Posted on 10.01.2015
When employees occasionally sell or solicit fundraisers during work hours it is usually noninvasive and doesn’t necessarily need to be addressed. These sort of activities typically involve parents selling their children’s school fundraiser items or employees seeking pledges for participating in a charity walk. However, if selling or soliciting in the workplace is causing disruption, it may be time … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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How to Reduce Employee Absenteeism
Posted on 08.20.2015
We all know things happen. Maybe the kids are sick, you have a broken water pipe in your house, or the dog got out and is running wild through the neighborhood. This always seem to happen five minutes before you have to leave for work. Employee absenteeism is something that plagues most businesses. It is … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation, People Performance
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How Hot is Too Hot?
Posted on 08.05.2015
We all know how unforgiving the southern heat can sometimes be, but do we all know how to protect ourselves and employees? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a warning on Friday to remind employers to protect their personnel.
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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Hurricane Preparedness
Posted on 07.30.2015
Hurricanes can not only reek havoc on land, but can also present problems to your company. Although you will not be able to control a hurricane, you can control how you and your employees react to one. Human Resources departments need to be aware of some of the challenges as well as federal and state … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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The 411 on EEO-1
Posted on 07.24.2015
What is an EEO-1 Report? An EEO-1 Report is a compliance survey mandated by federal regulations. It is a representation of your employee population based on race/ethnicity, gender and job category. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires employers who meet the compliance threshold to report this information annually between July 1, 2015 and September … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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How will Texas’ New “Open Carry” Law Affect Business Owners?
Posted on 07.15.2015
House Bill 910, or “open carry”, was recently passed during Texas’ 84th legislative session. Effective January 1, 2016 HB910 permits individuals with a CHL (concealed handgun license) to either openly carry a handgun, or carry a concealed handgun on public property, and, on private property (with a few limited exceptions).
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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Regulations for FMLA in Accordance to the Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
Posted on 07.09.2015
Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage solidifies DOL’s final ruling on FMLA leave On Friday, June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution and that the Constitution requires (i) all states to permit marriage between same-sex couples, and (ii) all states … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance, HR Risk Mitigation
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New OSHA Recordkeeping Rules Enforced Now
Posted on 03.23.2015
Two Rule Changes for 2015 1. OSHA has expanded the list of severe work-related injuries that all covered employers must report to OSHA (even employers exempt due to size or industry). The revised rule retains the current requirement to report all work-related fatalities within 8 hours and adds the requirement to report all work-related in-patient … Continue reading
Posted in Compliance