California Occupational Safety and Health Act That Employees Should Know

The Occupational Safety and Health Act is a law enacted by the federal government in order to regulate and govern the occupational health and safety issues in the private sector and federal government in the United States. Signed by President Richard Nixon and enacted by Congress in 1970, the principal objective of this law is to make sure the employers in the country provide a hazard free work environment to the employees that are free from recognized hazards including excessive heat or cold, unsanitary conditions, exposure to toxic chemicals or excessive noise levels. While passing this act, Congress declared that its intent behind this law was "to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources."

Also popularly known as Cal/OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Division of Occupational Safety and Health is established by the federal government in order to implement the said law to safeguard workers and the public at large from safety hazards. The tools used by this organization to realize the said objective include ensuring that the firms across the U.S. are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health law in addition to implementing some inspection programs to monitor the safety standards of elevators, amusement rides, aerial tramways, ski lifts and pressure vessels. OSHA has the authority to set as well as enforce workplace health and safety standards. The department also provides consultative assistance to employers as per request.

The Act also instituted the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to supervise enforcement priorities, actions and cases. One another organization that was established in order to further the objectives of the law is the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an independent research institute in the then-Centers for Disease Control.

The Act defines an employer as any "person engaged in a business affecting commerce who has employees, but does not include the United States or any state or political subdivision of a State." The Act covers the comprehensive range of employers in all sectors including manufacturers, construction companies, law firms, hospitals, charities, labor unions and private schools.

Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act features the general duty clause that directs the employers to maintain the conditions and practices necessary to protect workers on their job; act in compliance with the standards meant for their organization; and ensure the employees use the appropriate protective equipments while at work.

Section 8 of the Act pronounces reporting needs. If there is a fatal work-related incident in the workplace or if three or more employees are hospitalized due to a work-related incident, the employers must report the same to OSHA within eight hours. As per the law, OSHA inspectors are authorised to enter, inspect and investigate safety issues during regular working hours of the organization. The employers must take all measures to educate their employees regarding the work-related hazards. The Act also requires the employers to keep a record of non-consumer chemical products used in the workplace, and posting and supplying the material safety sheets to the employees. The Act permits the states to implement their own occupational safety and health plans in a way they do not overtake or clash with the federal laws.

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Minimum Wage Increase Law out—what’s the reaction?

Federal law’s minimum wage increase has been received with mixed reactions and there is a great deal to be said about it. The basic contention leading to the minimum wage increase is that hundreds of thousands of hardworking U.S. employees are not earning enough to support themselves and their families. Analysing the prevailing rates of food, transportation, housing and other basic necessities, some economists suggest a single adult today needs to earn not less than $11.82 per hour. This rate might even go up to $14.03 per hour in cases of families with four members even with two working parents. It can be expected that US labor will now look towards federal labor law posters with more confidence knowing that it is going to protect their interests better.

Experts identify that minimum wage has been losing out its value year on year on account of congressional and legislative inaction. Going back the study the conditions during 1968, the federal minimum wage facilitated the highest buying power. If those levels need to be matched today, minimum wage must be raised to $10.55/hour. While it is very hard to live on minimum wages, if no action is taken, it might add more bruises to the existing injuries. The only way out that can yield concrete results can happen through legislative measures and this forms the basis for the hike in minimum wage proposed by President Obama. 

The President's proposed $9.00/hour federal minimum means that there would be a 24% increase from the present rate of $7.25. Notably, this will be the first ever increase in the minimum wage over the past four years, and the second over the past 14 years. Estimates show that if put to work, the proposed minimum wage increase will result in a condition that prevailed during 1980s while adjusted for inflation. The rates will be adjusted annually considering the inflation.

The implications of the minimum wage increase can be noted both in the positive as well as in the negative sides. The contention that this measure will cost jobs does not seem to happen practically. While this happened last time in 2005, ironically, there was a net increase in jobs. On the other hand, minimum wage increase will mean the low-wage workers can be a part of the nation’s economic recovery. This can be understood in this way. Every increase in the minimum wage will consequently boost up the consumer spending over the following year, which will be a good sign for the nation’s overall economy. Rep. Edwards of Roc states raising the minimum wage will help stabilize businesses besides getting employees out of poverty. This will also pave a path to millions of Americans to become the middle class. 

Why the principal objective of the increase in minimum wages is not realised often could be due to poor targeting. This means that about 60 percent of people below poverty line does not work and therefore not able to access the benefits of the said raise. In several cases, it is not uncommon that layoffs and reduction in working hours could mean the take-home gets less rather than more. Therefore, a careful analysis of the situation across the nation needs to be studied considering the holistic picture and weighing both the sides objectively. The implication is that mere legislative measure will do no good unless the implementation is practically studied, observed and regulated to achieve what we want through minimum wage raise.

California Employers Can Face Confounding Array Of Workplace Mandates

Being the nation's most populous state is not California's only claim to fame. Allowed to talk off the record, many employers who have learned the rigors of coping with the Golden State's often-unique approaches to employment laws will say those laws frequently help make California the most challenging state in which to do business.

The wide range of mandates in California labor law posters is one prime example of how California can complicate an employer's job. To take just one example, dealing with the already-complex task of avoiding job discriminating against job seekers and workers who are pregnant and are seeking time off is made all the more difficult due to the state’s multiple mandates, and their differences from the requirements of federal law.

Employers in all states have to meet federal EEOC requirements, but that's not the whole story. California has its own laws in the area, which give workers as much as four months pregnancy disability leave, complete with extended health benefits, with no minimum time in the job required. The leave is for disabilities caused by pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, without any requirement that the employee have worked for the employer for any specified length of time.

The state rules also cover more businesses than do the federal rules, define key terms like "disability" more broadly, and expand its reach into the new area of job bias due to "perceived pregnancy" disability. Employers who long ago had come to terms with the state rules may need to check again, since the state has recently revised them. And employers might also want to check the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, while they're at it.

Figuring the interplay of California's often ambitious workplace rules with the requirements of federal law is not a California employer's only headache. The state's rich array of its own laws can be confounding. For instance, the state's Family Rights Act lets workers take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave after a birth, adoption or foster care placement, while the state's Family Temporary Disability Insurance program may extend a worker's unemployment compensation payments in some similar cases.

Another example of complexity and confusion awaiting a California employer can be found in the state's paid vacation law. Federal law and the laws in most states permit employers to have workers lose any unused vacation time at year end, but California includes untaken vacation time in its definition of wages, and decisions by the state's court have struck down employer policies that result in unused vacation time being forfeited. As a result, no matter what benefit program a national employer may have, it is a fair bet it may have to create a new variant to satisfy California's requirements.

California is also far from hesitant to impose requirements on employers in the state, even in areas where few, if any, other states have. So, for example, the state demands that firms with 50 or more workers provide a minimum of two hours training to its supervisors and managers on the subject of sexual harassment, with biannual retraining also mandated. Certainly, sexual harassment is a serious problem to be prevented, and potential liability employers are well-advised to avoid, but few states are as ready as California to jump into the task of specifying the details of private employers' executive training programs. In another illustration, the state has recently mandated that some employers display workplace notices to inform their workers and the public of hotlines set up to aid victims of human trafficking.

An Overview Of California Labor Law Posters

The golden California state has endorsed various labor laws, which are designed and implemented to protect the interests of both, the employers and employees. These laws include health, employment policies and human rights to make sure that both, the workers as well as employees, can benefit equally from the course of contract. The California labor laws are quite comprehensive to be covered in one single article, but let us have a glance into some basic employer and employee rights enacted by the state. For any workplace or business organization, California labor law posters are a must have to inform the employees and employers about their obligations and rights as an important part of the state law.

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Act) - This specific labor law supported by the California state provides employees a right of filing formal complaint against an employer, in case of dangerous or hazardous working conditions. Also, employees should be informed if they are anytime exposed to some hazardous materials as part of the work. Though, this law exempts all temporary, self employed or seasonal workers.

FMLA or Family Medical Leave Act- As per California labor law posters, every employee has a right to have job protected leave for up to twelve weeks per year. It depends on an employer, whether the leave is unpaid or paid, but each employee has the right to enjoy this leave credit. Though, there are few requirements or conditions for an employee to qualify for this leave credit, like he should be employed in the organization for minimum twelve months or have worked for at least 11, 250 hours before filing this leave. Besides, there are certain circumstances wherein the employees are given the right to go for leave, like undergoing any serious health problem, kin care or caring for a family member, birth of child, among various other things.

Personnel laws- California labor law requires every employer to ensure quite a healthy workplace and working environment for the employees. This means that the workplace must be free from any violence or sexual harassment. Besides, there should be apt safety policies which restrict unlawful behavior in the working environment. Additionally, all employees are protected by the law which limits the employers from accessing private staff files.

Leave and payroll rights- California labor law posters also include numerous pay regulations which are to be followed by the employers. However, the basic regulation is that the employees should be provided with minimum wage per hour, as specified by the state or federal law. Besides, the total working hours in a day covers the break and meal periods. Also, when taking a leave, there are flexible laws with respect to employers’ right to apply his discretion for sick leave, holidays or vacation and whether it is unpaid or paid.

Comprehending the basic labor laws of the California state, as mentioned above is quite significant to know about employee rights and make sure that these are protected in the best way possible against the employer liability. Apart from this, it also allows you to know about your obligations at workplace, so that you can do your job in the most effective way and in harmony with the employer. If you want to order California labor law posters, visit web http://www.easybusinessposters.com/products/california-total-labor-law-poster.html for details.

Advantages Of Posting Labor Law Posters

Companies and organizations should make their employees well aware of certain laws that are applicable on them. These laws help to educate the employees and workers about their rights in a workplace. Laws that are shaped in the form of posters will serve as a constant reminder to the employees and the organization, facilitating harmonious and progressive environment in the organization. Labor law posters are dependent upon the field of work and the organization. They are liable to differ with the changing dynamics of the organization. The posters need to be placed in accessible and relevant places so that everybody is educated about their rights and ways to protect those rights that are rendered to them by the government of the nation they are working in. The posters need to be updated or changed if any alteration in the law has been made.

The commonly used posters of labor law are Equal employment opportunity, fair labor standards Act- minimum wage, family and medical leave, job safety and health and so on.  Posters that have importance in a particular organization should only be posted. Other posters that are not relevant to the organization should be discarded. For instance a law that highlights rights for disabled workers do not have any significance in an organization that does not employ disabled people. The significance of the labor laws increases all the more if they are correctly followed. It basically signifies the Act of 1970 to incorporate safety plans in the working environment and establish health standards. Safety posters can also be added as an addition to the labor law posters. It is the way which will facilitate smooth running of the organization, where all the rights of the employees are preserved and protected. Productivity of the business is improved, as the workforce feels satisfied with the company and they work more effectively and efficiently for betterment of the company. The title holders of the organizations pick from different posters and choose the more accurate one which can match with the situation of the work environment and thereby increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the work that is rendered to the organization.

Labor laws are the laws that constitute administrative rulings which address the legal rights of the employees working in an organization. Highlighting of these important laws is essential. Labor law posters which clearly illustrate the legal law and jurisdiction, paves way to educate the workforce of an organization about their rights and duties, so that employees are fully acquainted with the knowledge of what is expected from them and what all they can expect from the side of the organization as well. Posters of labor laws form the reliable means of building a link between the employee and the employer and help to build better relationship between both. Moreover a good company cannot deny the due rights of an employee. It is the responsibility of an organization or an employer to protect the rights of their employees and to ensure that complete justice and rights are rendered to them. Every organization should display posters in the organization at the accessible places, so as to increase their impact and effectiveness.

Ohio Labor Law Posters - Employers Bid To Abide By All Legal Obligations

In the state of Ohio, all those owning a business, where there are significant number of employees; they are required to post Labor law posters mandated under the State and Federal law. This indicates that posting these posters is mandatory, and if any business owner violates the law, they could put their business at risk and eventually being penalized and paying hefty fines, amounting to thousands of dollars. In general, there are some specific types of Ohio labor law posters that are required to be posted by Ohio employers, which include payday notice, equal employment opportunity, child labor laws, worker’s compensation, medical leave act, minimum wage laws, uniformed services employment and reemployment Rights act.

In Ohio, the governing authorities make it obligatory for employers to post Ohio labor law posters at their workplace, in a suitable location where they can be noticed easily by the workforce. This legal requirement is for all types of safety, labor and employment posters, even those legal acts that are relevant to employment and operations of different organizations in and around the state of Ohio. For the employers it grows to be simple, as they would not require posting separate posters for each and every labor law. They can have all the laws related to their business and employees, in a single page. Likewise, it goes same for the workforce as they can get to know about their legal rights at a glance. A single poster can have an amalgamation of all the state and Federal laws related to employment. There is a vast range of posters available in Ohio that include law posters scripted in various foreign languages and that are fashioned using recycled paper. Labor law posters are usually posted at different organizations so that employees are aware of their fundamental rights, their responsibilities and duties. To get them in line, the layout of such posters should be easy to understand and posted at locations where these can be easily viewed by workers of the organization. Some legal acts might not be mentioned on these posters, though in certain scenarios it should be discussed with the workforce.

Labor law posters function as being distinctive in the obligation that is mandatory under the State and Federal law. Apart from this, there is no obligatory type of format in which the guidelines are to be incorporated into these posters. Nevertheless, it is essential that Ohio Labor Law posters should be able to put into words every kind of legal obligations that employers and employees need to abide. Many of these posters incorporate laws relevant to a particular state in the United States. The set of laws that are required to be mentioned in the posters might include payday notice, minimum wages, family rights, employment harassment and discrimination and so on. Labor laws and their related content, comprising all the details are placed in such posters, to make life easy for employers and workforce. As employers, you should always get the updated and latest labor law posters for your workers to let them know their rights at workplaces.

Labor Law Posters Highlighting the Rights of Workers

Quality administration in any nation can be ensured only if the laws and rules are followed in that nation and the governments take strict action in case there is a violation of laws. There are many sets of laws that are applicable in every area and industry. These kinds of laws are vital in ensuring smooth and progressive growth of the nation while maintaining harmonious environment. One set of such laws is also built for the worker group and employees working in an organization. Every employee of an organization or a company must be well versed with the authorities and rights that are given to them. The laws are clearly illustrated in the form of labor law posters that highlight the importance of the laws that are related to the proper working environment, where all the needs and requirements of the employees are addressed and no kind of discrimination is caused to them. The available posters of labor laws will ensure that important and necessary growth of the workers and the companies is established and followed to lay foundation for the bright future of the employees and the organization. They ensure that clear targets are met and rights of the workers are safeguarded.

All the companies should incorporate labor law posters that will ensure that workers work more efficiently and explore their potentials. The labor laws serve as links between the organization and the employees. They address the legal rights, administrative rulings and restrictions that are applicable on the company and the workers. It mediates between the employers, trade unions and the employees and ensures that all the workers are well versed with their rights and have complete information about their privileges. Labor rights play an important and quintessential role in ensuring that the economic and social development of the nation is improved. The requirement of labor laws arose when the workers working in the various industrial sectors, demanded their rights, better conditions, right to work in a harmonious environment, right to forbid joining any union, higher wages and so on. This gave rise to the establishment of the employment standards, which are set with the motive to work in favor of the workers and to set standards that can be followed by the organizations in improving the condition of the workers and facilitating their rights to them. These laws that illustrate minimum socially accepted conditions under which employees work. The government agencies of nations enforce set standards for employment, which are further codified by labor laws.

Labor law posters illustrate guidelines and rules that are highlighted in the form that can be easily understood by the employees of the organization, and is successful in educating them about their rights at the workplace. They ensure that the workers stay away from the strife situations and any kind of lawful dilemma. Many companies and organizations have brought reforms in regard with the labor laws to ensure improved quality of the workforce and instill confidence in them. Posters on labor laws are an absolute source of information for the workers of an organization. It helps them to get fully acquainted with their rights in the respective organization.