Yearly Archives: 2022

How to Get Around Casino Self-Exclusion Having a self-exclusion scheme can be a way of protecting yourself from gambling addiction. It’s also a way of taking control of your gambling. You can choose to self-exclude yourself from certain gambling venues, such as casinos and sportsbooks. But there are different ways to do this, depending on the country in which you live. In the United Kingdom, self-exclusion is mandated by law. Gambling operators must offer this […]

Effective Immediately    WHAT’S UP  On October 13th, The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) made significant changes to the state’s definition of “close contact,” and to the potential two-year extension of California’s COVID-19 regulation that all employers must implement. The CDPH changed the definition of “close contact” via an immediately effective order, which will change enforcement for both large and small workplaces in California.    […]

Form I-9 is Expiring, but Keep Using it Anyway The current Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, will technically expire on October 31, 2022, as noted on the form. However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says employers should continue using the current Form I-9 after its expiration date (because a new form hasn’t been released yet). We’ll provide an update when the new version is available. Remote Form I-9 Document Inspection Flexibility Extended Until July 31, 2023 […]

Time to put the camera “on” your company handbook!  If your company has a hybrid workforce, you probably use a video platform for your company meetings. Call it the new normal! And with this new style of conducting staff business, issues have inevitably developed along the way.    THE ISSUE: Video No-Show Employees – Is “Camera Off” a Clue to an Employee’s Career Engagement?  Technical issues aside, not every employee (management included) is on board […]

A To Do list for when you get that sudden “I Resign” notice!  Don’t get blind-sided by the sudden resignation of a good employee…here’s a checklist to keep you on track with HR obligations and protect your greatest asset—the ongoing viability of your business!  Employers often give ample attention to their on-boarding process when welcoming new hires—devoting extra time and attention in getting these workers quickly up to speed. But what about when employees leave? […]

Here’s a Simple List of NO-NO’s You Must Never Ask   How old are you?  Are you married? Do you have kids? Are you pregnant? Do you plan on having kids soon? Do you have any disabilities or health problems? How much do you weigh?   What’s your race/nationality?  What’s your religion? Do you celebrate religious holidays?  What’s your sexual preference?  Do you use drugs, alcohol or smoke?   No Debate – It’s Settled Law  These interview […]

Fire season is here! OR OSHA has new regulations for those who may work around outdoor smoke, including mask requirements and guidelines for indoor smoke exposure. The harmful chemicals and tiny particles suspended in wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. The health danger concerning these tiny particles is addressed in newly published standards for worker protection. These standards will apply to employers whose employees are exposed to unhealthy or hazardous levels of wildfire smoke.    […]

Paid Leave in Oregon | Effective 2023.   The Oregon Employment Department [OED] has recently issued a press release (see below) outlining the details on the employee-employer tax contribution for the Oregon Paid Family Leave program.   Paid Leave Oregon is an insurance program for all Oregon employers and employees. The program is funded through payroll-based contributions made by both the employee and employer. Eligible employees will receive a weekly benefit payment, with the amount of […]

 Business mileage rate increases to 62.5 cents per mile, up from 58.5 cents      Citing soaring gas prices, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on June 9 announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2022.    Effective July 1 through Dec. 31, 2022, the standard mileage rate for the business use of employees’ vehicles will be 62.5 cents per mile—the highest rate the IRS has ever published—up […]

New Rules take Effect June 15th New rules from OR-OSHA on Heat Illness Prevention will take effect, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. These rules will apply to outdoor workplaces and indoor workplaces without ventilation. A summary of these rules can be found at these links: Summary: OR-OSHA Heat Illness Prevention and Wildfire Smoke Rules Fact sheet about the key requirements of the heat rule Fact sheet about the heat rule’s rest break schedule options for preventing […]