According to the national construction industry trade association Associated Builders and Contractors, construction labor demands are high. The construction business pays well and offers great opportunities for progression. The traditionally male-dominated industry has struggled, however, to convince women to join its workforce.
Articles on U.S. Labor, Employment, Benefits & Immigration Law
Federal Court Upholds DOL’s Authority to Set Minimum-Salary Test for White-Collar Exemption
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has statutory authority to impose a salary requirement to qualify for an exemption from overtime under the executive, administrative, and professional exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal district court in Texas holds, granting summary judgment to the DOL. Mayfield v. U.S. Department of Labor, No. 1:22-cv-792 (W.D. Tex. Sept. 20, 2023).
The EU-US Data Privacy Framework: Transferring Personal Data Under the New Privacy Shield
Now that the European Commission has published the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework, it will be easier for organizations to transfer personal data from the EU to the United States.
USCIS Eliminates Biometrics Fees for I-539 Applications to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the elimination of the $85 biometric services fee for all Form I-539 applications to extend/change nonimmigrant status, beginning October 1, 2023.
New USCIS Guidance for EB-1 Persons of Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professors and Researchers
On September 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its official policy manual chapters on employment-based first-preference (EB-1) immigrant petitions in the Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professor and Researcher classifications.
DOL Proposes Increasing Weekly Salary Threshold Needed to Qualify for White Collar FLSA Exemptions to $1,059
Potential Changes Coming to the H-1B Program
On September 19, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) submitted proposed regulations for federal review entitled “Modernizing H-1B Requirements and Oversight and Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program.” These proposed regulations, currently under review with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would amend governing rules regarding H-1B specialty
What is “Fairness”?
In this episode, Jen explains the difference between “fairness” and “equality,” and why it matters.
IRS Places Moratorium on New Employee Retention Tax Credit Processing
On September 14, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Employee Retention Credit (ERC) guidance placing a moratorium on processing new ERC claims due to a surge in questionable claim submissions.
DHS Proposes Modernization of H-2 Framework
On the heels of the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcing plans to revise its H-2A program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing amendments to its H-2A and H-2B regulations. The proposed changes would “ensure the integrity of the H-2 programs and enhance protections for workers.”
Littler AI in the Workplace Survey Report 2023
Employers are increasingly looking to reap benefits from both generative and predictive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including in human resources (HR) functions. Yet an evolving patchwork of AI regulation and the rampant pace of technological change place many at a crossroads.
How will the growing use of AI impact
The EEOC and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Partner to Maximize Enforcement of Federal Employment Laws
You Need to Calm Down
On August 9, the IRS issued a news release, IR-2023-144, warning taxpayers and advisors of “numerous compliance issues” with ESOPs, such as “valuation issues with employee stock,” “prohibited allocation of shares to disqualified persons,” “failure to follow tax law requirements for ESOP loans causing the loan to be a prohibited
Beltway Buzz, September 22, 2023
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
Post-Labor Day Wrap Up: What NLRB’s 2023 Decisions Mean for Employers
In the weeks surrounding Labor Day 2023, the National Labor Relations Board overturned precedent with decisions and rules significantly impacting both union and non-union employers. The result is labor laws encouraging both unionization and concerted employee actions affecting working conditions. Employers must review and assimilate these decisions before implementing new