It is essential for employers to stay up-to-date on the latest changes in employment and labor law.
Due to the current economy and changes in administration, a number of laws have been implemented or adjusted recently.
That’s why it’s important that all businesses—and U.S. citizens for that matter—stay up-to-date, engaged and participating, when possible, in what’s happening in the country.
It is a huge challenge to sort out all the different laws and changes, that’s a fact. It’s particularly difficult for small businesses that don’t have the time or manpower to have an HR department.
Things can get confusing fast when there’s so much change going on. So it’s important to have some key resources in place for when you’re trying to sort everything out and determine what’s relevant to your business and what affects your employees.
These resources can get you immediate answers.
Resources You Need
· A list of all the different employment laws—There have been recent changes to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADAA), COBRA, Employee Free Choice Act, as well as other laws. Laws change all the time due to national trends, state trends, health changes, etc.
· News—Keep up with the news, both locally and nationally. Particularly the “hot” areas that are getting a lot of attention, such as healthcare reform, financial reform or immigration reform.
· Web resources—For example, the U.S. Department of Labor Web site, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Web site, the Small Business Administration Web site or HRTools.com. These sites have up-to-the-minute news and information on all the changing employment and labor laws. Your town/city/state probably also has a Web site that can keep you updated on local issues and laws, such as the new law in Texas where you can’t use a cell phone in a school zone.
· A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or HR person—If you’ve partnered with a PEO you have a designated HR person, otherwise it’s a good idea to find some kind of HR expert, either internally or externally, who can help you through all the legal updates that happen on a day-to-day basis.
· An employment attorney—For the most complicated of legal issues, you should speak with an employment attorney. These professionals are well-versed in employment and labor law.
These are the resources I recommend business owners be familiar with.
I also recommend business owners seek out business support in their local communities, such as the local chamber of commerce. Getting involved and being active in a group such as the chamber of commerce is a simple way to just be aware of what’s going on in your local area.