April 2018 HR and Safety news & updates
for Small/Mid Business
Consultstu LLC delivers fractional HR support  to growth oriented small/mid businesses, and provides custom solutions to meet each company's budget and needs. Our team assesses and supports your HR needs for compliance, cost control and HR effectiveness. Our solutions include HR department review/set up, short term HR coverage, monthly assistance, audits and special projects.  Call us today at 727-350-0370.
Roofers paid piece rate, still entitled to OT 

TAMPA, FL - Investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded that 11 roofing contractors owed $239,893 in back wages to 259 employees for violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  The primary violation involved the companies paying employees a  piece rate, without regard to the number of hours they actually worked. This practice resulted in overtime violations.  Piece rate is acceptable, but when overtime hours are worked, an employee must be paid time and one half for these hours . Read more.  Here is how piece rate employees can be paid proper overtime.
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April is Financial Literacy Month

April is Financial Literacy Month, and it is a great time to get your personal finances on track. In addition, small businesses can offer tools and resources to their employees to help them manage their finances and improve their financial literacy.  The Federal Trade Commission has some resources for the public and .  A financial health crisis is an employee wellness issues.  Download a Workplace Financial Wellness Services: A Primer for Employers.
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What HIPAA related policies are required for a health care provider?

We are often asked to advise clients regarding the scope and content of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) policies and procedures that are required to be maintained.  HIPAA clearly requires health care providers, as "covered entities," to maintain policies and procedures covering HIPAA issues that apply to their operations.  There is a core of policies that will generally be required to be in place for most health care providers. Read what policies.
Forced retirement at 65? Nope, not legal

DETROIT - An oral surgery practice will pay $47,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Professional Endodontics, P.C. violated federal law by firing a female employee four days after her 65th birthday. The lawsuit alleged that she had worked for the company for 37 years and was terminated pursuant to a company policy which required employees to retire at age 65. Mandatory retirement ages are not consistent with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and not permitted.
Watch and Learn: DOL compliance videos

Learn about Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements simply by viewing our new series of short compliance videos. These brief, plain-language explanations of FLSA requirements strip away the "legalese" and provide employers the basic information they need to understand their obligations and to comply with the law. Click here to access the videos.
Florida Contractors: How you can track subcontractor work comp coverage?

For Contractors working in Florida, the Division of Workers' Compensation offers several databases that show the workers' compensation insurance coverage by Florida companies, including construction contractors.  Best of all, these tracking and information sources are free to use.   Click to Continue.
When is the next OSHA ITA reporting deadline?

2017 OSHA 300A summary data must be reported to the ITA website by July 1, 2018. But don't bother setting an annual recurring event in your tasking software ... starting in 2019 and every subsequent year, the reporting deadline will be March 2nd.   Read More.
The knowledge, tools and services that keep your company running more efficiently and in compliance.

Stuart Charlson | Consultstu LLC | 727-350-0370 | [email protected] | www.consultstu.com
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