The anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration鈥檚 (OSHA) Electronic Injury Reporting and Anti-Retaliation final rule (also known as Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses) go into effect Thursday, Dec. 1. The rule, which was finalized on May 12, 2016, will make the submission of the injury and illness forms mandatory and exclusively electronic for most employers. For the first time, OSHA plans to make this information publicly available on the Internet through a new searchable database and use the data for enforcement purposes. Also, some forms of post-accident drug testing and accident-free programs will be deemed to be unlawfully

On Nov. 22, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) burdensome and costly overtime final rule. The rule would have changed the federal exemptions to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act for administrative, executive and professional employees, the so鈥攃alled "white collar" worker classifications that have long been exempt from time-and-one-half pay for working more than 40 hours per week. The new rule will not go into effect without further action from the court.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 23鈥� Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) welcomed news that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) burdensome and costly overtime final rule. Prior to the injunction, the rule was scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 1 and would have doubled the current minimum salary threshold for employees that are exempt from overtime pay and automatically increased it every three years.

老牛影视has added Massachusetts Chapter member Barry Belcastro of Belcastro Brothers, Inc. to the Beam Club Presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC鈥檚 top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, 老牛影视members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter.

SDV Construction of Albuquerque, N.M., a member of ABC鈥檚 New Mexico Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.听

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 21鈥� Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its annual update to 鈥淏uilding America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,鈥� which reviews and grades state-specific policies and information significant to the success of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The scorecard highlights听states听that have created a free enterprise-based environment where merit shop contractors are well positioned to succeed and calls attention to states where strategic improvements need to b

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 16鈥� Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today welcomed news that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas has permanently blocked the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) 鈥減ersuader rule,鈥� officially named the "Interpretation听 of听 the听 鈥楢dvice鈥櫶� Exemption听 in听 Section听 203(c)听 of听 the听 Labor-Management听 Reporting听 and听 Disclosure听 Act." In finding the rule unlawful, the District Court has maintained employers鈥� right to obtain advice from labor rel

ABC's Regulatory Alert, released Nov. 22, provides an overview of federally mandated rules, regulations and enforcement actions from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other federal agencies.听

Shapiro & Duncan Inc. of Rockville, Md, a member of ABC鈥檚 Metro Washington Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC.听The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. 听

On Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. EST, Ilyse Schuman of Littler Mendelson P.C . will present a webinar on Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requirements for employers and their potential impact on your company in 2017 and beyond. Ms. Schuman also will discuss how the recent elections could impact the ACA. 听