By Leah Shepherd The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new proposed rule to broaden who can be authorized to accompany Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance officers during workplace inspections. Under the proposed rule, released on Aug. 29, employees may authorize an employee or a non-employee third party, if the OSHA compliance officer...
By Kathryn Mayer As employers begin to predict what next year holds in terms of pay raises and health care costs, a new analysis predicts even steeper hikes for health care than other estimates. Average costs for U.S. employers that pay for their employees’ health care could increase 8.5 percent to more than $15,000...
By Leah Shepherd Employees with disabilities sometimes struggle to use bathrooms at the workplace, even if the bathroom meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Common complaints about workplace bathrooms include stalls that are too small or narrow to allow a wheelchair to turn around, counters and sinks that are too high, missing grab bars,...
By Andrew Deichler Summer is nearly over, and students are heading back to school. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for workers in many school districts. Since the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have faced an unprecedented labor shortage. Many teachers, nurses, food service workers and especially bus drivers have left the...
By Dave Zielinski A core requirement in a recently enacted New York City law governing the use of artificial intelligence in employment decisions promises to impact how HR leaders choose, contract with and oversee technology vendors for years to come. The law, which took effect July 5, requires employers in New York City to conduct...
By Leah Shepherd Extreme heat waves this year have intensified pressure on U.S. regulators to finalize a national standard for heat illness prevention in the workplace. In 2021, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule on workplace heat standards, but a final rule hasn’t come out yet. In the meantime,...
Employee engagement surveys can be effective tools for gathering feedback and insights from employees, provided they are well-designed, properly implemented, and followed up with appropriate action. Here are some key factors to consider regarding the effectiveness of employee engagement surveys: Feedback and Insight: Employee engagement surveys can provide valuable feedback and insights into employees’...
By John Egan The U.S. trucking industry is barreling down the road toward an alarming shortage of drivers. In an October 2022 report, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimated the industry was weighed down by a shortage of 78,000 drivers. That’s an improvement from the shortage of more than 81,000 in 2021, but it’s...
Changing the culture of a company can be a complex and long-term process, but it is achievable with a well-thought-out strategy and commitment from leadership and employees. Here are some steps you can take to begin changing the culture in your company: Define the Desired Culture: Start by clearly defining the culture you want to...
By Kathryn Mayer Amazon has rolled out a slew of new benefits for its employees, including an emergency savings fund, a mental health app and financial counseling, as wellness challenges mount for workers. The new benefits come as employers navigate a precarious time: Companies are seeing massive dips in employee well-being, while at the...
Copyright by People First INC. All rights reserved. 2022
2022 Copyright by People First Inc. All rights reserved.
