Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss the top 2020 HR laws around the country; from the new federal overtime law and minimum wage increases to harassment training, salary history bans, paid family leave, recreational marijuana, and more across multiple states.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Employment expert weighs in on how Skilled Workers fare Vs. College Grads
Former Trump administration official A. Wayne Johnson recently described the student debt program in this country as ‘fundamentally broken.’ For the millions of college students who have an average of $37,172 in debt by the time they graduate, these words no doubt ring true.
And, students are not the only ones who are feeling the pain. Research shows that college debt leads to poor sleep and high anxiety, potentially causing employees to be unmotivated and unfocused while at work, in turn harming employers and their bottom line.
This begs the question: Is college for everyone? Or, would entering a skilled trade be a smarter choice for many young adults?
“We have this idea in our society that a college degree is the gateway to financial freedom and success,” says Rob Wilson, employment trends expert and President of Employco USA. “But the statistics don’t necessarily bear that out. Most college grads end up moving home after graduation to live with their parents, and it takes several months or more for them to find a job. In many cases, that job won’t be in their field of interest, and these young people end up spending a good chunk of their paycheck paying off their hefty student loans.”
Employment expert reveals the hidden dangers of the gig economy
More than one-third of Americans are now participating in the new “gig economy,” in which they work part-time or contracted positions, instead of dedicated full-time positions. And research shows that over half of these freelancers view their gig positions as permanent, rather than temporary. However, a new study warns that the gig economy could be destructive for Americans’ health and well-being.
Rob Wilson, employment trends expert and President of Employco USA, says, “The research shows that a gig economy leaves most part-time workers without healthcare, retirement funding, dental care, or disability benefits. Meanwhile, many of these ‘giggers’ often have to work more than one job in order to make ends meet, and this is particularly increasing among female workers.”
In fact, Wilson says that holding multiple part-time jobs can actually be destructive to a woman’s earning potential, saying, “One study showed that women who held a number of part-time jobs in their 20s saw absolutely no increase in earnings in their 30s, meaning that even as their experience and their families’ needs grow, they do not earn a dollar more.”
Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, was recently quoted in an article for amNewYork:
A new law that bans most private companies in New York City from testing job applicants for marijuana as part of the hiring process may have an impact that reaches far past city limits.
“You’re going to see changes in employment policies across the country because for a national company it becomes too hard to have different HR policies, and then you run into discrimination issues if you’re drug testing in New Jersey but not in New York,” said Rob Wilson, president of the human resources firm Employco. “The last thing you want is a national drug policy and you’re not on top of this law, you could find yourself with some big headaches.”
The law doesn’t go into effect until May 2020, which gives affected companies time to rework their policies, but Wilson said he’s already seen a shift away from pre-employment drug testing as more states legalize medical and recreational use of the drug.
“A lot of our clients, they’re adjusting their policies for after a job has been accepted,” he said. “So our clients that have zero tolerance are pretty much in the group [of exemptions], working at the airports or clients that have people driving vehicles for work.”
For more on this topic, please contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.
175 million Americans celebrated Halloween last year…but how should this holiday be approached in the workplace?
“Countless workplaces across the country permit or even encourage Halloween costumes in the office,” says Rob Wilson, human resources expert and President of Employco USA, a national employment-solutions firm. “Some even have costume competitions. Other offices have Halloween parties and put up decorations for the holiday. But, in this day and age, it is crucial to consider how your Halloween costume could impact your employer’s opinion of you, or what legal ramifications these common Halloween practices could pose for employers.”
To that end, workplace expert Rob Wilson has provided the below Do’s and Don’ts for celebrating Halloween in the workplace:
Employment trends expert talks new study which says that half of millennials have left a job due to a mental health crisis
A new study found that 50 percent of Millennials and 75% of Generation Z’ers say that they have left a job due to pressing mental health concerns. The study, led by Mind Share Partners, SAP, and Qualtrics has discovered that younger generations of workers are much more likely than older employees to leave a job due to the need for mental health care.
“The study is very important because it reflects generational differences as far as employees’ approach to therapy and self-care,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert. “Today’s incoming workforce is much more well-versed in therapy and the need for mental health services, and as this research shows, they seek out these resources when needed, even if it means leaving their current job.”
Wilson says this study helps reveal where companies and employers can do better in attracting and retaining younger talent.
“Offering benefits that include comprehensive mental health care can go a long way in attracting younger employees,” says Wilson. “Therapy is costly, but as research shows, there has been a 47 percent increase in major-depression diagnoses among millennials since 2013. Since therapy is the front-line recommendation for depression treatment, you can expect that nearly half of millennial workers are either in therapy, seeking therapy, or being advised to see a therapist by their doctor or family and friends. Hence, offering a benefit plan which covers these life-saving services and is in-network with many mental health providers would be a smart idea for employers.”
Chicago-based employment expert explains how IL employers will have new training requirements soon
It was recently revealed that several professors and one staff member at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have been accused of sexual harassment. As the University faces criticism for not handling these cases swiftly and with transparency, upcoming changes to Illinois employment law such as the Workplace Transparency Act (“WTA”) could change the way Illinois employers handle such cases in the future.
Employment expert Rob Wilson says that the UIUC case offers an opportunity for Illinois employers to better examine their policies regarding sexual harassment, especially as new regulations are going into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
“If you are an Illinois-based employer or you have at least one employee located in Illinois, you will now have new requirements for sexual harassment prevention,” explains Wilson, who is the President of national employment solutions firm Employco USA, which is based in Chicagoland. “You must provide sexual harassment training to all of your employees at least once a year. Additionally, the Workplace Transparency Act will prevent employers from using confidentiality clauses to protect employees or hide past charges, as U of I is accused of doing in these recent sexual harassment cases.”
Employment expert explains the recent DOL decision
The U.S. Department of Labor’s recent decision on overtime extends to 1.3 million U.S. workers. The number is much lower than what the Obama administration tried to accomplish during President Obama’s tenure in office.
“Since 2016 when President Obama signed an overtime law which made employees who earned less than $47,000 a year eligible for compensation, many small business owners were fearful that they would not be able to keep pace with new requirements for overtime compensation. When a Texas judge blocked that ruling, it offered a small reprieve until President Trump took office,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment compensation expert.
In the following years, both Republicans and Democrats have struggled to agree on an overtime solution, until revealing their new decision last week.
Previously, workers were automatically entitled to overtime pay only if they earned $23,660 or less a year, says Wilson. But, starting on Jan. 1, 2020, that salary ceiling will be raised to $35,568.
Employment expert explains how your company can shine as an outstanding employer
The national unemployment rate is just 3.7%. In August, 130,000 new jobs were created.
“The number of Americans who are currently employed is at a high of 157.9 million,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment expert. “Labor force participation has not been this high since August 2013. While this is great news for employers, it means that companies need to work harder to stand out to prospective hires.”
“Working with an employment solutions firm such as Employco USA is a wise way to stand out from the pack,” continues Wilson. “Not only will this help increase the number of candidates you reach and help streamline your hiring procedures, but a human resources firm can also help you to establish a robust benefits package.”
From an economic standpoint, you need to think in terms not only of salary and health insurance, but also a total compensation package, says Wilson.
“There are many benefits which today’s employees are looking for, including whether you match a 401(k), what is the value of the paid time off offered, along with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance” he explains.
Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, was recently a guest on The Small Business Advocate Show with Jim Blasingame. Check out the links below to listen to each topic.
How artificial intelligence is being used in the hiring process
“Rob Wilson joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the AI tools and practices that are now available to make the hiring process more effective and successful.”
How small businesses will use AI in the future to hire
“Rob Wilson joins Jim Blasingame to report on the artificial intelligence innovations that are going to increasingly empower small businesses to be more effective finding and hiring new employees.”
For more on these topics, contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.
