In response to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) guidelines to Federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of "medical marijuana, the Department of Transportation (DOT) reaffirmed its position. The DOT's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a transportation employee's positive drug test result . Medical Review Officers will not verify a drug test as negative based upon information that a physician recommended that the employee use "medical marijuana." Read more.

LinkedIn is a gold mine if you're recruiting. Nowhere else can you find more than 330 million business professionals in one place prominently displaying their job experience, skills, education, recommendations, and expertise. And recruiting new employees isn't limited to searching for unemployed professionals or recent graduates entering the workforce. Here's how to do it.

Last reminder - If your company is required to submit 2016 injury data via the new online injury reporting website created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), then follow our twelve (12) step process to register your company and report the data.  December 1st is the deadline. We have all you need to know about the new Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Click here for the 12 steps. 

Washington DC - In October, t he Social Security Administration has announced that its monthly cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries  will increase 2.0% in January 2018 .   The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, th e maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $128,700 (up from $127,200). Read the entire press release.

Washington DC - Employers that work with silica must develop compliance plans for the new silica OSHA standard.  To help, OSHA just recently released small entity compliance guides for both construction and general industry.  Here are the links for the Guide for Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard in Construction ( OSHA 3902 - 2017) and  Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime ( OSHA 3911 - 2017).

More companies are turning to the use of pre-employment testing to screen and evaluate job applicants. Wonderlic online tests are easy to administer and will help your company make better hiring decisions, Call us to try the testing and see how it can improve your hiring today. Works well for office, sales, administrative and professional positions. Read more..

Managing people does not come naturally to most construction business owners. Often, project managers, estimators, general superintendents, superintendents, foremen and engineers are not born managers either. Entrepreneurs who start or own companies are typically effective, visionary leaders who understand the big picture and are focused on achieving their dreams. Are you a Managing Manager? Read how.