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HR Legal Updates You Need to Know Recently there has been a lot of activity regarding proposed and newly implemented Federal legislation that could have a huge impact on employers and HR. In response to the continued outbreak of the H1N1 flu the House and the Senate are considering two mandatory paid sick leave bills. The House’s Emergency Influenza Containment Act (H.R. 3991) Proposed in the Senate and borrows from The Healthy Families Act (H.R. 2460) Unemployment Extension Legislation Update Proposed Cobra Legislation Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3930) that would extend the COBRA subsidy for six more months and expand the program’s window of eligibility for people who lose their jobs until June 30, 2010. Sestak’s proposal was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have not indicated if they will push for passage of the legislation. Sources familiar with the issue say the measure could be included as an amendment to the health care reform package. State Mini-COBRA Extension Made Permanent Ohio’s extended “mini-COBRA” coverage, originally enacted April 1, 2009, has been made permanent under the new Ohio Executive Budget Healthcare Reform Initiative. This extends mini-COBRA coverage indefinitely from six to twelve (12) months and applies to employers with less than 20 employees. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) On May 21, 2008, the President Bush signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). GINA includes two titles. Title I, which amends portions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code, addresses the use of genetic information in health insurance. Title II prohibits the use of genetic information in employment decisions, prohibits the intentional acquisition of genetic information about applicants and employees, and imposes strict confidentiality requirements. Title II of GINA is effective on November 21, 2009. Click here for more information... EEOC has revised its “Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law” poster. This new version reflects current federal employment discrimination law (including the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008). The poster was revised to add information about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, which is effective November 21, 2009. The revised poster also includes updates from the Department of Labor. Click here to download the poster. Expansion of Military Family Leave Entitlements (FMLA) Effective immediately, President Obama has signed into law a further expansion of The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Included in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), enacted on October 28, 2009, Caregiver Leave and Exigency Leave expand military family leave entitlements. FMLA coverage for military families was initially expanded under President Bush via the National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 4986, as the first FMLA revision since 1993. This original expansion added two new protections for military families. Please click here for a complete summary of these FMLA revisions, effective January 2009. Cuyahoga County Board of Health Offering Free H1N1 Flu Vaccinations The Cuyahoga County Board of Health will be offering free H1N1 Flu Vaccinations on Saturday, November 21 at 4 different locations. Vaccine will be available for the following priority populations:
For more information, downlaod this flyer from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Energy Costs - You Don't Need to be an Expert to Save! As a small business, when it comes to energy-related decisions, you may not have an extensive energy team at your disposal or a formalized procurement plan. In many cases, you may not have a plan at all when it comes to energy spending. The good news is you don’t need to be an expert to save! If you shop smart and take the reins in the decision-making process, you can save significantly and bring value to your bottom line. Ohio Customer Choice now gives you the opportunity to select an electric generation supplier for your business, so you can start taking advantage of savings now. continue reading... Holiday Parties and Festivities Survey ERC is conducting a survey on whether organizations have modified their holiday parties and festivities this year. Please click here to participate in the survey. Identifying & Developing High Potentials Survey - Last Week to Participate You have them in your organization - some of your highest performers with lots of potential to move up in your organization. Some organizations call them high potentials and others call them emerging leaders or other similar names. We encourage your organization to complete the following survey which asks questions about how you define and develop these employees for future roles within your organization. Please click here to participate in the survey by this Monday, November 23rd. Measuring HR: Metrics for Successful Outcomes Where is HR impacting your company’s bottom line? Do your department’s results matter to your executive team? What is the cost of cutting HR initiatives? Join us January 28th for “Measuring HR: Metrics for Successful Outcomes,” a half day session where you’ll learn how to answer these questions, and much more. Click here for more details or to register... Free Program - All Stressed Up and Nowhere to Go - December 11 Year end and the holiday season can be packed with deadlines, obligations, and expectations that leave us feeling stressed and irritable. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! Learn practical skills for stress management that you can apply both personally and professionally. Discover how to interrupt the stress cycle, understand the effects of chronic stress on brain functioning, determine healthy boundaries, and apply coping strategies. Click here for more details or to register...
The Business World is Becoming Smaller Every Day International tax expertise is in high demand, and that demand is expected to keep rising after bills aimed at combating offshore tax abuses were introduced in the U.S. House and Senate this fall. With the government turning a keen eye to tax loopholes and overseas tax havens, it’s become crucial for accountants and tax professionals to have knowledge on this hot topic or strategic partnerships with international expertise. Click here to find out more information on our International Taxation course coming up on December 4 at ERC.
Great Speakers for Your Holiday Events! Looking for a great speaker to help your employees stay the course and survive the holidays? Maybe you are thinking of a way to ‘give back’ to the employees who helped you make it through 2009? ERC has engaging, humorous and motivational speakers who can be at your upcoming Holiday Luncheon or End-of-the-Year Party. For more information, visit the ERC Speakers Bureau or contact Chris Kutsko at ckutsko@ercnet.org or 440/947-1286. Got City Game! Cleveland Launches First “Webisode” The first episode of the new web reality show that highlights Northeast Ohio as a great place to live and work is now available at www.gotcitygame.tv. Watch as teams of young professionals compete to win amazing prizes including one-year of free rent in downtown Cleveland. FREE Pandemic Flu Awareness e-Learning Course ERC and Business Training Library are offering a free one-hour e-learning course through the ERC e-Learning Center. This course is designed to increase awareness of the pandemic threat the flu poses and to provide information that can be used to form the basis of preparedness and prevention for your organization. Click here to register at no cost... One-Stop Holiday Celebrations, Hosted at ERC! Host your company’s holiday brunch or luncheon in the ERC Workplace Center! We’ve reduced rental rates for the month of December, and have worked with our preferred caterer, Food for Thought, on both healthy and festive holiday menu options for our members. Contact Tricia Smith at 440/947-1294 or tsmith@ercnet.org for more information. For recent Quick Hits Issues, click below...
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