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Category: DOL

DOL Issues Final Rule on Independent Contractors

Posted By Brandy King
January 17, 2024 Category: DOL, Independent Contractors, Ohio Bwc, Workers' Comp

Who’s Really an Independent Contractor? DOL Finalizes New Rule Clarifying Classification Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) finalized its rules regarding classification of independent contractors. The organization hadn’t previously defined this by regulations, only by guidelines (which are as clear as OSHA “best practices”).  The updated rule creates a six-factor “economic realities” test to determine whether or not a worker is truly an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Among others, the test includes factors such as degree of permanence, amount of control the employer holds, and the worker’s skills.   Since Ohio employers aren’t required to cover 1099 employees under their BWC policy, we have a lot of discussions with clients about whether or not a worker actually meets the qualifications of being an independent contractor. Understanding these qualifications is not only important for insurance purposes, but also for recordkeeping, and the application of minimum wage and overtime rules.  Our friends at Roetzel & Andress have done a great job of explaining this new classification rule in a way that’s easy to digest and understand, so we’re deferring to their recent update for the details.  For more info on how independent contractors can impact your Ohio BWC policy, check out this blog.  This goes into effect March 11

Department of Labor Ramps Up Audits

Posted By Brandy King
March 07, 2022 Category: FMLA, DOL, DOL Audits, FMLA Lawsuit, FMLA Fines, DOL Fines, Department Of Labor, HR Issues, HR Outsourcing, Family Medical Leave Act, Wage And Hour, FLSA,

The Department of Labor (DOL) will once again be on the prowl for both FMLA and Wage & Hour violations in the coming year – especially in the logistics and warehousing industries. Employers across all industries saw an uptick of audits back in 2014, when DOL made good on their promise to increase the frequency of investigations. There was a notable decline in these audits during the last administration, but expect to see them start ramping back up – and be ready! We’ve often been told by employers, “We just let employees take what they need when they need it.” This usually means, “We don’t really track unpaid leave.” If you’re a small, private employer offering FMLA-adjacent leave out of the goodness of your heart - no harm, no foul.  If you’re a public employer, or a private employer with more than 50 full time employees within a 75 mile radius – that lax approach won’t cut it when the government comes calling.  Here are some good questions to help determine how compliant your business is:  Do FMLA regulations apply to your organization?  Do you have a written FMLA policy in place?  Does the policy address/define: eligibility requirements, call-in procedures, employee obligations & rights, medical certification process and outside work restrictions while on leave? Do you have legally compliant FMLA forms in place? Is your FMLA poster displayed somewhere prominen

OSHA 300A Submissions

Posted By Brandy King
January 21, 2022 Category: OSHA, OSHA 300A, OSHA Injury Reporting, OSHA ITA, OSHA Compliance, Safety, Injury Reporting, Recordable, Reportable, Workplace Safety, DOL

It’s time for employers to submit and post their OSHA 300A. Here are some pointers to guide you through the process.  More resources can be found on OSHA.gov.    Electronic Submission:   Go to https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/ Click the red “Launch injury tracking application” button on right and follow the instructions Details: Who - Establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees that are classified in certain industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and/or illnesses. Visit the OSHA website for list of “certain industries”. What - Covered establishments must electronically submit information from their OSHA Form 300A. When - In 2022, covered establishments must submit information from their completed 2021 Form 300A by March 2. How – OSHA provides a secure website that offers three options for data submission. First, users can manually enter data into a web form. Second, users can upload a CSV file to process multiple establishments at the same time. Last, users of automated recordkeeping systems will have the ability to transmit data electronically via an API (application programming interface).  View the CSV instructions  Download a CSV file template  Download a CSV sample file  View the API technical

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