Archives : 2008 : August
New Wage Classes Added to West Virginia Unemployment Benefits Notice
August 21st, 2008A revised West Virginia labor law poster includes 11 new wage classes at the end of the state’s Unemployment Benefits Rate Table.
Before this latest change, the maximum wage base range for West Virginia workers seeking unemployment benefits was $38,500 and above. Anyone within that range was eligible for weekly unemployment benefits of $408 and a maximum total payment of $10,608.
Under the new schedule issued by Workforce West Virginia, the maximum wage base range has been increased to $40,150 and above. Anyone within that range in their base period is eligible for a weekly benefit of $424 and maximum total payment of
$11,024.
In addition, the status of some West Virginia unemployment claims offices has been changed on the mandatory West Virginia labor law poster. Four full-time claims offices are now listed as itinerant points, which are subject to change.
Poster Compliance Center has available the new West Virginia labor law poster now at www.postercompliance.com.
Minimum Wage Increase Included in Revised North Carolina Labor Law
August 21st, 2008A revised mandatory North Carolina labor law poster includes an increase in the state’s minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008.
The Wage and Hour poster has also been revised to include a decrease in the amount that employers are allowed to pay tipped employees — from not less than $2.43 per hour to not less than $2.13 per hour.
This amount decreased because the federal minimum wage increase (to $6.55 per hour on July 24) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of the tip credit that employers may count toward the payment of wages.
In addition, the North Carolina minimum wage notice now says that the tip record that all employers must maintain for each tipped employee may be kept monthly or for each pay period. Previously this record had to be kept for each pay period.
The North Carolina labor law poster in now available at Poster Compliance Center at www.postercompliance.com.
Minimum Wage Increase Included in Revised Maryland Labor Law Poster
August 21st, 2008A revised Maryland labor law poster includes an increase in the Maryland minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008.
The increase goes into effect because Maryland’s minimum wage is automatically replaced when the federal minimum wage increases to a rate that is higher than the state’s rate. The federal minimum wage also increased to $6.55 per hour on July 24.
The amount that Maryland employers are allowed to pay tipped employees increased from not less than $3.08 per hour to not less than $3.28 per hour on the revised Wage & Hour Fact Sheet.
In addition, new categories of race and gender were added to the records that employers must keep for three years.
In the Employment of Minors poster, information has been added stating that applications for work permits, which are required for all minors under 18 years of age, can now be obtained online.
Information has been deleted from the Maryland labor law poster regarding the issuance of work permits by the Ocean City Police Department and some government sponsored jobs programs.
Expanded Notification Requirements Included in Revised Washington Labor Law Poster
August 21st, 2008A revised mandatory Washington labor law poster, Job Safety and Health Protection, includes a new requirement that employer report any fatality, probable fatality or incident that results in one or more workers being hospitalized.
That report must be made to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Division of Occupational Safety and Health within eight hours of any fatality or incident that results in an employee being hospitalized.
The previous Job Safety and Health Protection notice stated that employers were required to report fatalities or incidents that resulted in two or more workers being hospitalized.
A Labor & Industries website has also been added to the notice for anyone needing more information about the department.
The new Washington labor law poster is available now at Poster Compliance Center, www.postercompliance.com.
Leave and Travel Time Provisions Added to Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws Poster
August 21st, 2008Massachusetts has revised its mandatory Wage and Hour Laws poster to include a new provision that allows certain employees to take up to 24 hours of unpaid leave annually to participate in school activities for their children.
The Small Necessities Leave Act also allows qualified employees to take unpaid leave to take their children or an elderly relative to medical and dental appointments.
The new leave policy applies if an employer has 50 or more employees, if an employee has been on the job for 12 months or more and worked for at least 1,250 hours during the previous year.
The “Child Labor” section of the Massachusetts labor law poster has also been revised to include a new restriction that prohibits minors 16 and 17 years of age from driving a motor vehicle or forklift or working 30 feet or more off the ground.
A previous restriction against 16 and 17-year-old minors from working around blast furnaces or any place where explosives are manufactured is no longer listed on the poster.
The Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws poster also includes a new section that allows employees to be compensated for certain travel time. Employees who are required to work at a location other than their normal job site must be paid for all travel time in excess of their ordinary travel time between home and work.
The “Employee’s Right to Sue” section of the poster has been changed to include new information about lawsuit filing requirements and time limits for bringing an action against an employer.
The new Massachusetts labor law poster is now available at Poster Compliance Center, www.postercompliance.com.
Revised Washington D.C. Labor Law Poster Includes New Minimum Wage Rates
August 21st, 2008A revised mandatory Washington D.C. labor law poster includes an increase in the District’s minimum wage from $7 per hour to $7.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008.
The labor law poster also includes a second increase in the Washington D.C. minimum wage to $8.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. According to District law, the minimum wage must always be $1 per hour more than the federal minimum wage (which increased to $6.55 per hour on July
24, 2008).
New information has also been added to the Washington D.C. labor law poster about the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008, The Living Wage Act of 2006 and Enhanced Professional Security Act of 2008.
In addition, the “Enforcement and Penalties” section has been removed from the poster, as well as a statement that employees may not be discharged for filing a complaint. Information about overtime pay and the Seats Law has also been removed.
The revised labor law poster now states that Washington D.C. minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to persons employed in a “computer capacity”, in addition to the capacities already stated.
