Mississippi HR Legal Updates

Update Applicable to:All employers with company vehicles. What happened?On June 9, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase in the optional standard mileage

Update Applicable to:All employers with private contractors What happened?On March 31, 2022, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a new Directive 2022-02. 

Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to interview and screen job applicants What happened?On May 12, 2022, the EEOC issued long-awaited guidance

Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) has released new resources on workers’ rights to

Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the EEO-1 reporting requirements have now been extended. The new deadline for

Effective July 1, 2022, minimum wage rate increases will go into effect for a number of states, cities, and municipalities. These increases will be applicable

(This section provides you with an overview of labor law postings for this month. Note: many of these are included in the federal/state labor law

Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?On March 1, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidance and answers regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic’s

Update Applicable to:All clients who have active PEO contracts What happened?On March 25, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) granted a request by the

Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?In our previous communication here, we informed you about an extension to the Form I-9 compliance flexibility. This is an update

(This section provides you with an overview of labor law postings for this month. Note: many of these are included in the federal/state labor law

OSHA Launches Program to Protect Workers from Heat Hazards Update Applicable to:All employers with employees who work in locations that contain heat-related hazards. What happened?On

Update Applicable to:All employers who use E-verify What happened?On April 1, 2022, the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will dispose of E-Verify records that

Posting Updates (This section provides you with an overview of labor law postings for this month. Note: many of these are included in the federal/state

Update Applicable to:All employers with federal supply and service contractors and subcontractors that have 50 or more employees What happened?On December 2, 2021, the Office

Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?On March 17, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ending the COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B

Update Applicable to:All employers covered by federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) What happened?On February 28, 2022, the DOT published in the

POSTING UPDATES   (This section provides you with an overview of labor law postings for this month. Note: many of these are included in the

Congress Passes Amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act Update Applicable to:All employers in the United State of America What happened?On February 10, 2022, the Senate

OSHA Withdraws ETS Update Applicable to:All employers with 100 or more employees What happened?On January 25, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew

2022 OSHA Penalty Amounts What happened?The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its 2022 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for

Supreme Court Votes to Stay OSHA ETS, Reinstates Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers Update Applicable to:All employers with 100 or more employees, and all employers

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?|On December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease

Posting Updates (This section provides you with an overview of labor law postings for this month. Note: many of these are included in the federal/state

“Ban the Box Act” for Federal Contractor Has Taken Effect Update Applicable to:All employers with federal contractors. What happened?The federal Fair Chance to Compete for

Federal Court Reinstates OSHA ETS Update Applicable to:All employers with 100 or more employees. What happened?On December 17, 2021, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Vaccine Mandate Latest Update: The following was provided by the trusted Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete Law Firm, which outlines

Effective January 1, 2022, minimum wage rate increases will go into effect for a number of states, cities, and municipalities. These increases will be applicable

OSHA Begins Process of Creating Standard to Protect Workers from Hazardous Heat (WORK IN PROGRESS) Update Applicable to:All businesses with indoor and outdoor worksites. What

Update Applicable to: All employers with Medicare and Medicaid-certified healthcare employees. What happened? On November 5, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Update Applicable to: All employers with 100 or more employees. What happened? On November 4, 2021, the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health

Update Applicable to: All employers with tipped employees. What happened? On October 28, 2021, The Department of Labor (DOL) announced publication of the Tips Dual

Plan Ahead (This section provides you with an overview of current and upcoming laws that take effect) Law / Regulation Effective Date Oklahoma Authorizes Tax

U.S Department of Labor Announces Minimum Wage Increase for Federal Contractors Update Applicable to:All federal contractors with workers performing work on or in connection with,

OSHA’s Mandate-or-Test Emergency Rule Pending Final Review Update Applicable to: All employers with 100 or more employees. What happened? On October 12, 2021, the Occupational

Plan Ahead (This section provides you with an overview of current and upcoming laws that take effect) Law / Regulation Effective Date Maryland Amends Flexible

U.S Department of Labor Extends Joint Employer Recission Rule Update Applicable to: All employers. What happened? On September 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor

Extension to I-9 Compliance Flexibility Given by ICE Update Applicable to: All employers. What happened? On August 31, 2021, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On July 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released guidance on “Long-COVID” being classified as

Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On June 15, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a technical Q&A document on “Protections Against Employment Discrimination

 Plan Ahead (This section provides you with an overview of current and upcoming laws that take effect)  Law / Regulation  Effective Date  Texas Amends Sexual

OSHA Updates Testing and Mask Recommendations for COVID-19 Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On August 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and

 Update Applicable to:All employers in the United States.  What happened?On July 30, 2021, the IRS updated its frequently asked questions (FAQ) for employer tax credits

Update Applicable to:All employers in the United States.  What happened?On June 23, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an

Plan Ahead (This section provides you with an overview of current and upcoming laws that take effect) Law / Regulation Effective Date Chicago, Illinois, Amended

Acceptable I-9 Documentation Updated for Refugees and Asylees Update Applicable to:All employers What happened?On July 13, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated the Refugees

Update Applicable to:All employers in the United States. What happened?On June 23, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCIS) launched the H-2B Employer Data

June 19 Added as Federal Holiday Update Applicable to:All federal employers, and possibly those who work as federal contractors. What happened?On June 17, 2021, President

Effective July 1, 2021, minimum wage rate increases will go into effect for a number of states, cities, and municipalities. These increases will be applicable

Biometric Requirements Suspended on Certain Visa Applications Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing the following visas: H-4 L-2 E-1 E-2 E-3 What happened?United States Citizenship and

What happened?On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated their COVID-19-related guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. What are the details?The CDC has

Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated with

Update Applicable to:Establishments eligible to apply for the grant program include restaurants (including franchises), bars, food trucks, breweries, bakeries, and caterers, among others. Ineligible establishments

Update Applicable to:All federal contractors. What happened?On April 27, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order raising the minimum wage of federal contractors to $15

Congress Passes Extension of Paycheck Protection Program Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing or looking to utilize the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). What happened?The bill pushes

E-Verify Adds New myUploads Feature Update Applicable to:All employers utilizing E-verify. What happened?On March 10, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the

Congress Passes American Rescue Plan Update Applicable to:All employers operating within the United States. What happened?The American Rescue Plan, the second COVID-19 related stimulus bill,

ICE Extends I-9 Verification Flexibility Update Applicable to:All employers with remote workforces. What happened?On January 27, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the

EEOC updates Compliance Manual on Religious Discrimination Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued an

Update Applicable to:All employers. What happened?On December 29, 2020, the DOL issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2020-7, which provides guidance to the DOL’s field staff on

Update Applicable to:Any employers utilizing workers abroad who utilized Form I-765. What happened?The DHS has announced that employers may use unexpired Form I-765, Employment Authorization

Update Applicable to:Any employers looking to utilize the H-1B visa program. What happened?U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a final rule that will modify

COVID-19 Relief Bill: What It Means for PEOs & Small Business What happened?On Monday December 21, the House passed an omnibus spending bill that included $1.4

The CARES Act provided an opportunity for employers to offer the option of allowing qualified individuals to take a distribution (up to $100,000) from their IRA,

Department of Labor (DOL) Issues New COVID-19 Guidance for Employers What happened?On November 7, 2020, the DOL released two documents outlining common workplace inspection citations

Effective January 1, 2021, minimum wage rate increases will go into effect for a number of states, cities, and municipalities. These increases will be applicable

Trump Administration Announces Interim Final Rules for H-1B Visa Changes What happened?Per guidance by the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the

Department of Labor (DOL) Joint Employer Rule Struck Down by New York Court What happened?On September 8, 2020, Judge Woods of the U.S. District County

The Department of Labor (DOL) has posted their new official revised regulations for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), effective immediately. In addition, the

DHS Extends Temporary COVID-19 Rule Allowing Certain H-2A Petitioners to Hire Certain Foreign Workers What happened?The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has temporarily extended some

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Religious Employers What happened?On July 8, 2020, the Supreme Court decided two cases involving the impact of religion in

What happened?U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has extended Form I-9 compliance flexibility, most notable for its allowance of remote verification for Section 2 of

Supreme Court Affirms LGBTQ+ Protection Against Discrimination What happened?On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects

Effective July 1, 2020, minimum wage* increases will be in effect for a large number of states, cities, and municipalities. This increase will be applicable to

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination based

Fluctuating Workweek What happened?On May 20, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a change to the rules governing overtime for fluctuating workweek salaried workers.

On April 14, 2020, we sent out a communication regarding COVID-19 relief updates including two new loan options: Main Street New Loan Facility and Main Street Expanded

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) What happened?The CDC issued additional guidance for critical infrastructure workers. What are the details?Employers should pre-screen staff before they come

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources At Vensure, we are working hard to provide up to date and important information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review our Coronavirus

Effective April 1, 2020, the FFCRA will go into effect.  Under federal law, all employees must receive a copy of the new Department of Labor

What happened?On March 20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced flexibility in complying with requirements related to

The COVID-19 pandemic and national response has been evolving over the past couple of weeks. Each day holds new information and important updates. We want

Department of Transportation Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates Increase for 2020 What happened?The Department of Transportation (DOT) operating agencies have announced that their random

Employee Retirement Income Security Act – Increased Penalties What happened?The Department of Labor (DOL) has increased the penalties for employers if they are found to