Obama's Big Changes for the Workforce

The Obama administration is pumping out enough workplace regulations to keep us all busy for the next several years. For employers, the regulations will mean higher costs and bureaucratic entanglement. The changes you can expect to see are:

• OSHA: The agency will launch new initiatives on ergonomics. This initiative may even include another attempt at having a specific rule on repetitive motion injuries.
• Wage and Hour: Employers should anticipate quicker and more extensive investigation of employee complaints with the Labor Department adding 250 more Wage and Hour investigators.
• Discrimination: A broader definition of "disability" will expand protection under the ADA. Another EEOC regulation would impose restrictions on health risk assessments (HRA's), a key component of employer's wellness programs.
• Union Issues: Some form of the Employee Free Choice Act is likely to pass Congress. Also, a pro-labor stance by the National Labor Relations Board will revisit key decisions made by the Bush appointees. Other possibilities include legislation to overturn a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on age discrimination along with legislation banning employer discrimination based on sexual orientation. Staying up-to-date on these issues and others has never been more important. Please visit Avant's webinar link to find a topic that interests you.

President Obama’s advisory council released a report assessing preparations for 2009-H1N1 Influenza A. The report outlined steps to implement nationwide to curtail a serious H1N1 outbreak and subsequent impact. The precise impact of the resurgence of H1N1 infection is impossible to predict, but a plausible scenario is that it could produce infection in 30 to 50 percent of the U.S. population this fall and winter, and therefore, the impact on business will be major. Employers will confront many state and federal regulatory challenges in this pandemic and should be prepared for the unknown. Discover some practical ways to handle this tough situation, as well as the human resource practices and policies you will need to implement at Avant’s September 22 Webinar.

Body Language and Business

The words we say count for only 7 percent of the impact of our spoken communications while body language counts for 55 percent of the message impact, attendees at a recent Avant Resources webinar on interviewing skills learned. Attendees received a set of Body Language Cards, an innovative flash-card-style learning tool. An in-depth look at body language is planned for a future Avant event, but in the meantime Avant customers are being offered a special discount on the card set and training booklet package: Body Language Cards.

Federal Contractors and the Obama Administration

The Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation that would require most federal contractors to notify their employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The regulation is mandated by an executive order which was signed by President Obama in January. Under the proposed regulation, all federal contractors and subcontractors must agree as a condition of their U.S. government contracts to post a lengthy notice detailing employees’ rights under the NLRA, including the right to form, join or assist a union and to strike and picket. The proposed notice describes employer conduct that is unlawful under the NLRA, such as prohibiting employees from soliciting co-workers to join a labor union during non-work time and from wearing union hats, buttons and shirts in the workplace. Finally, the proposed notice directs employees to contact the National Labor Relations Board if they believe their rights have been violated.