Determining correct exemption status for California employees is one of the most challenging, complicated and risky tasks faced by human resources professionals.  What has never been mistaken for simple, becomes even more complicated in 2024, as nuances creating first-time ever industry sector-specific exempt salary thresholds will go into effect for many fast food and health care businesses. For a comprehensive overview of exempt classifications in California updated for 2024, please continue to our blog. Following is our annual update on exempt/non-exempt considerations for California e ..read more

A lot has changed for employers since 2019, but one of the few areas of consistency has been the salary level required for an employee to be eligible for exempt status under the federal law. The federal exempt salary threshold holds sway in any state or locality that does not have its own, higher threshold.  As of January 1, 2024, the only states not utilizing the federal threshold are Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Washington and Wisconsin.  Consequently, the planned increase from the current $684 per week ($35,568 annual) to $1,059 per week ($55,068 annual) will imp ..read more

The festivities are over, and the realities of the new year are sinking in and being actively addressed by HR and business leaders.  How do your priorities for 2023 align with those of your contemporaries? If your strategic priorities are focused on the big picture – leadership, change and the employee experience, you are in line with the majority of your HR colleagues. The challenge of actually managing talent, over and above the role of administering the processes necessary to keep the HR engine moving, is where HR and the C-Suite can agree on a common goal as 2023 gets underway. Please ..read more

Maine, Nevada and Illinois are not necessarily the most obvious choices when it comes to predicting what states will come up with the most employee-friendly requirements.  When it comes to PLFAW (an acronym we will all possibly have to get used to soon), the path has been cleared and we will soon see what other states and/or localities follow. Paid Leave for All Workers will be required in the state of Illinois beginning January 1, 2024.  Almost all workers will be provided 40 hours of paid time off per year for any reason at all, essentially mandating PTO.  Employers currently ..read more

Always nice when something can actually be made easier for HR… A major improvement in U.S. immigration processing is on the horizon for employers. The U.S. State Department just announced a pilot program to once again offer visa renewals by mail without traveling to a U.S. consular post. This will be a major relief to U.S. employers. For details on the background, as well as the process and requirements, please continue to our blog… Visa Stamps = Travel Documents There are multiple government agencies involved in U.S. immigration processing. In addition to units of the U.S. Department of Homel ..read more

The EEOC has issued a very clear reminder to employers that forewarned is forearmed. On January 10, 2023, the EEOC published its Draft Strategic Enforcement Plan for 2023 – 2027.  The plan, which can be found here EEOC Draft SEP 2023-2027 outlines the workplace issues the commission intends to target over the next five years. Of particular interest is a focus on the emerging issues relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.  This is in addition to on-going enforcement efforts relating to employees with disabilities and criminal histories as well as pro ..read more

“Quiet quitting” was so 2021. “Quiet firing” was so 2022. For the in crowd, the new rage for 2023 is “quiet promotions.” The big difference here is that our previous workplace-focused quiet phenomena involved employees who were no longer part of the organization.  Now, as we are dealing in real time with the affects of these upheavals and the continued unsteadiness of the labor market, we are seeing (or maybe not seeing) how this impacts our existing workforce – those that take on the duties and responsibilities of their former colleagues. As is so often the case, it’s what you don’t know ..read more

Choose Any Of These One-Day Programs Or Take Advantage Of The Discount And Attend Two Or Three Days Castle Publications is pleased to announce that the upcoming seminar series will be presented in person as well as via a live broadcast. Attendees at Castle’s programs will see and hear Attorney Richard J. Simmons, one of the nation’s most highly sought-after speakers and authors on employment law. Showcasing his energetic presentation style, Mr. Simmons will present the upcoming series while featuring his invaluable Manuals as the program texts for each of the three seminars. Each of the progra ..read more