The 2012-2014 Hawaii Holiday Schedule, is now available for members who need to plan around the holidays observed by the state and federal government. Read more

Hawaii, which in 1985 started to require employers to have injury and illness prevention programs, saw a net reduction in work injuries and illnesses of 20.7 percent, according to a White Paper by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Read more

The National Federation of Independent Business has filed a legal challenge alleging that the National Labor Relations Board appointments issued on January 4 are unconstitutional. Read more

The U.S. Supreme Court will not review a decision by the Eighth Circuit to defer to U.S. Dept. of Labor regulations prohibiting restaurant employers from taking a tip credit on any “substantial amount of time” (defined as more than 20 percent) that a tipped employee spends on performing related but non-tipped work, such as general preparation work or cleaning and maintenance. Read more

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a list of 58 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs for 2012. Read more

The majority of senior executives at more than 600 firms across the U.S., 65 percent, say that there will be “practically no staff cutbacks” for 2012, says a Right Management survey. Read more

Recruitment spending in the U.S. rose 6 percent to about $124 billion in 2011 compared with 2010, with more of that spending focused on professional networks, social media and CRM technology at the expense of job boards and agencies, according to new research from consulting firm Bersin & Associates. Read more

Hawaii employers can download the updated Official State Labor Law Poster by sections or in complete form. Read more

To help members evaluate whether a position meets Fair Labor Standards Act criteria for Administrative Exempt status, HEC has developed a job analysis form in a checklist format. In addition, HEC also has a new Checklist for Maintaining Employee Files which covers suggested guidelines for maintaining and organizing the company’s employee files. Read more

The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division warns that some employers are receiving calls from an individual purporting to be from HIOSH or OSHA Enforcement selling an OSHA Kit and poster for $259 or so and asking for company name, contact information and so on in order to invoice and send the materials. Read more

The U.S. Supreme Court says the Constitution bars lawsuits brought on behalf of “ministers” against their churches that claim termination in violation of employment discrimination laws, reversing a decision that had held a religious teacher was retaliated against for suing the church under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read more

In an issue of first impression, the Eleventh Circuit decides that the Family and Medical Leave Act protects a pre-eligibility request for post-eligibility leave. Read more

It is a violation of federal labor law to require employees to sign arbitration agreements that prevent them from joining together to pursue employment-related legal claims in any forum, whether in arbitration or in court, the National Labor Relations Board rules. Read more

Retaining talented employees has become a higher priority in an improving job market, and 87 percent of employers are worried about losing key employees, with 58 percent moderately concerned and 29 percent very concerned, according to management consultants OI Partners. Read more