Word to the wise: When OSHA comes knocking, take the visit seriously the first time around. Otherwise, the penalties can really pile up, as a boat manufacturer in Florida recently learned the hard way. Here’s what happened. Workplace Safety and Health Violations In July 2023, an OSHA investigation determined Blacktip Boatworks LLC jeopardized the safety…
Heads up, HR: The EEOC has recently taken several employers to task for alleged pregnancy discrimination in violation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). In early September, the agency filed its first-ever PWFA lawsuit and negotiated its first successful conciliation agreement to resolve a PWFA charge, recovering more than $47,000 for the affected employee….
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its Top 10 frequently cited workplace safety violations in FY 2024, according to a National Safety Council press release. For the 14th straight year, Fall Protection-General Requirements tops the list of OSHA’s most frequently cited workplace safety violations. And the associated costs don’t stop at OSHA fines….
Addressing workplace safety concerns, Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Retail Worker Safety Act,” which requires retail employers in New York to develop and implement training programs and policies to help prevent workplace violence. The new legislation applies to employers with at least 10 employees working in a retail store that “sells consumer commodities.” Importantly,…
A federal jury in Washington state has returned a $237.6 million verdict in favor of a Black employee who filed a racial bias suit. The verdict, which is subject to appeal, includes $198 million in punitive damages. Tahvio Gratton began working as a package car cover driver at a Seattle UPS location in 2016. In…
Every HR pro knows how important it is to avoid illegal interview questions. After all, no one wants to be known as that person who got their company involved in a legal mess. And while some illegal interview questions are pretty easy to spot, others might not immediately jump out at you as ones to…
A truck driver was illegally fired for reporting legitimate safety issues, the Department of Labor (DOL) has determined. OSHA has ordered the employer to pay back wages with interest as well as compensatory and punitive damages. The agency’s federal whistleblower investigation targeted W-L Construction & Paving Inc., which is a subsidiary of CRH — which in…
Intermittent FMLA leave is a giant thorn in the side of HR people everywhere. But not all intermittent leave requests are equal. Here’s a look at some of the most common scenarios, and how to handle them.
OSHA inspectors have determined an animal food producer in Wisconsin exposed employees to combustible dust hazards and cited the employer for a total of two dozen health and safety violations. Here’s what prompted OSHA to propose more than $160,000 in penalties. Combustible Dust Hazards Found, OSHA Says A family-owned business for six generations, Strauss Feeds…
