News from Ollis/Akers/Arney Human Resources Consulting

OSHA Withdraws Emergency Temporary Standard and Signals Further Actions to Come

On January 25, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced that it was withdrawing the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (the “ETS”). This withdrawal was made in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on January 13th which stayed the implementation and enforcement of the ETS. We discussed the Supreme Court decision here.

On its website, OSHA stated that it would be focusing on a permanent COVID-19 standard for healthcare. OSHA continues to signal that it will use its powers to seek broad enforcement of COVID-related safety standards in the workplace.

OSHA’s action does not impact the rule published by the Health and Human Services Department requiring vaccination for covered health care employers. It similarly does not impact the federal contractor vaccination mandate, which remains stayed by the federal courts pending litigation.

Read Spencer Fane's article here

How to Get Your Free At-home COVID-19 Tests

If you participate in a health plan—through your employer or otherwise—you are likely eligible for free, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for home use.

Depending on your plan, your COVID-19 tests will be paid for directly by insurance, or you will be reimbursed later for the cost. Your human resources (HR) department should be able to tell you which applies to you.

Keep reading to learn more about this cost-saving opportunity.

More details can be found here

2022 HR Calendar

Monthly Reminders

Between navigating challenges such as the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic, a competitive labor market and day-to-day operations, HR professionals appear to have a lot on their plate in 2022.

HR teams are often required to prioritize activities such as assisting employees, meeting compliance requirements, and other pressing demands of the organization.

This calendar serves as a jumping off point for HR professionals and provides a topic or activity to consider visiting each month of 2022.

See the HR Calendar here

Upcoming

Compliance Deadlines

From major holidays to key compliance and ACA deadlines, find out everything you need to know about important HR dates for 2022.

Feb 1 – Post OSHA Form 300A Summary through April 30

Feb 10 – Annual Form 940 Due

Feb 28 – ACA Forms Paper Filing Deadline including Forms 1095-B and 1095-C

May 17 – EEO-1 Reporting and Filing Deadline

More EEO-1 info here

DOL Publishes Guidance on

Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors

On Jan. 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2022-1 to help federal contractors understand and implement a $15 minimum wage rate for their employees by Jan. 30, 2022, as required by Executive Order (EO) 14026.

Read more here

5 HR Trends to Monitor in 2022

Human resources (HR) departments are given more responsibility each year, often with budgets that don’t match these changes. As a result, HR teams must constantly innovate and stay on top of trends to remain competitive in today’s labor market.

This article highlights five HR trends for employers to follow in 2022:

Hybrid Workplace Sustainability
Attraction and Retention Amid Labor Shortages
Increased Investment in HR Technology
Growing Demand for New Skill Sets
Continued Focus on Employee Health and Well-being

Read the full article here

Our 2 Most Popular Training Sessions

Navigating the HR Jungle: HR Current Legal Issues

Thursday - April 7, 2022

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge of managers in basic HR regulations and best practices. It will also develop skills related to preventing sexual harassment, coaching and counseling, progressive disciplinary action, performance management and involuntary terminations.

Targeted Selection Behavioral-Based Interviewing

Thursday/Friday - April 14 & 15, 2022

Specific interviewing techniques, particularly behavior-based interviewing, have been found to have a substantial impact on the results of hiring. Interviewing for motivational fit, related to organizational culture and core values, further increases the likelihood of successfully aligning talent to the needs of your organization.

Check out our Event Page

THE OLLIS/AKERS/ARNEY

ANNUAL WELLNESS CONFERENCE

Thursday - February 10, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Virtual - Zoom webinar

DID YOU KNOW?

50% of workers say anxiety negatively affects their performance

75% of workers say the most stressful part of their job is immediate supervisor

60% of organizations plan to address anxiety and well-being in the next three years

Please join us for this year’s dynamic Wellness Conference featuring Chester Elton, co-founder of The Culture Works and co-author of Anxiety at Work. Chester is the #1 Bestselling Business Author and is ranked number two among organizational culture experts around the world and among the top ten in leadership.

Registration is $30 and includes a gift box that contains a copy of Anxiety at Work and other sponsor gifts.