With a new election season coming, employers should be aware of their obligations in terms of providing time off to vote. Employees can now legally request time off for advance voting, as well as on election day. On July 1, Georgia Senate Bill 129 went into effect; the new law ensures that employees receive time off from work for early voting in primaries and elections. It also revises provisions related to taking time off to…
After announcing that it would end its temporary flexibilities for Form I-9 verification requirements, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has adjusted its stance again. In May 2023, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that employers would have until August 30, 2023, to physically inspect all documents that had been examined remotely using the COVID-19 flexibilities. On July 25, 2023, DHS announced the availability of an alternative procedure effective August 1, 2023. Employers who…
In May, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 65 establishing Georgia Access – a state-based exchange (SBE) for individual health insurance. The legislation allows Georgia to exit the federal marketplace exchange and gives the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI) authority over operating an SBE for Georgia. Current Status of Georgia Access Originally, Georgia Access was slated to roll out for Open Enrollment 2024. As part of the standard process for…
Business owners often realize that the daily administrative tasks related to human resources (HR) have become too complex to manage or are taking up too much time. A professional employer organization (PEO) like MarathonHR can allow you to outsource your HR functions to a “co-employer.” In a PEO arrangement, responsibilities are shared; the business remains the “Job-Site Employer” and the PEO becomes the “Administrative Employer.” The advantage of the PEO relationship is that small- to…
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a new law effective June 27, 2023, gives pregnant workers extra protections if they require accommodations to carry out their work duties. It’s important to note that existing laws have protected the rights of pregnant workers for a long time. The PWFA simply spells out requirements for employers to make accommodations, if necessary, for the worker’s safety and comfort. Employers’ Obligations Under the PWFA The PWFA requires covered employers…
In July, a federal court refused to block the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s “80/20 rule,” which applies to employers taking the tip credit toward their federal minimum wage obligations. The DOL rule is intended to limit the amount of non-tip producing work that a tipped employee can perform when an employer is taking a tip credit. Here is a good article on the 80/20 rule from Fisher Phillips that restaurant owners should read to…
It’s officially summer, and businesses that have employees working outside should be aware of the risks of heat-related illness. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 700 people die each year from excessive heat, and more than 67,000 people visit an emergency room due to heat-related illness. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) states that an employer has a legal obligation to provide a workplace free of conditions or activities recognized…
Many companies like to take advantage of the opportunity to hire interns during the summer months. It’s usually a win-win; the employer can use the extra help, and the intern gains valuable work experience. If you’ve hired interns this summer, you do have responsibilities as an employer from a legal standpoint. To Pay or Not to Pay? Companies frequently ask if they are required to pay interns. Yes, it’s possible to offer unpaid internships; however,…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will end its COVID-19 temporary flexibilities for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification on July 31, 2023. Employers must now complete in-person physical document inspections for employees whose documents were inspected remotely during the temporary flexibilities. These inspections must be completed by August 30, 2023. Background When onboarding a new employee, employers are required to collect certain identification documents in person in order to complete I-9…
MarathonHR has long advocated for the importance of drug testing in the workplace, both for new hires and as an ongoing condition of employment. Not only does substance use affect a business’s productivity; it creates significant safety concerns and liabilities. Types of Drug Tests Available There are several drug tests available that use different types of biological samples. Saliva drug testing. Saliva drug testing is performed using a mouth swab. These tests are considered more…
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MarathonHR Helps Thomas Eye Center Focus on Patient Care and Service