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What I've Been Reading This Week


I found a wide range of articles this week that I think readers will enjoy...everything from OSHA and wage and hour issues all the way to criminal background checks in California.  Something for everyone!

As always, below are a few articles that caught my eye this week.


OSHA's New Rule to Protect Construction Workers in Confined Spaces

Recently, OSHA issued a new rule to protect construction workers in confined spaces.  Joe Lustig over at Joe's HR and Benefits Blog has a good look at this recent development and who it impacts.  For those interested in OSHA issues, this is a good one to review.


The New Battlefront: When An Employee Works

The Washington Post has a great article on how the new wage and hour battlefront is likely to be over when an employee works (ie work schedules and flexible scheduling bills being considered around the country), rather than simply how much an employee makes.  The article is very, very thorough and paints a broad picture of what the issues are on each side of the aisle...and where things could potentially go in the coming years.



Anthony Zaller always has some good California related topics that I enjoy reading through.  This week was no exception.  Criminal background checks have become an area in the interview process that received heightened attention across the country as Ban the Box measures have started to address the issue.  This article gives employers a few things to keep in mind when conducting criminal background checks.  Well worth a read, especially for California employers!


Take Look At the Video That Wal-Mart Has Used as an Anti-Union Deterrent

The Washington Post has a good video and brief blurb about a video that Wal-Mart has previously used to deter unionization at its stores.  I had posted some of the ways Target attempts to limit unionization at its stores in the past (How Target Deals With Union Organizing) and thought readers would enjoy a look at how another big box employer handles the issue.


Why Companies Should Offer Paid Maternity Leave

This is the second article I have read in as many weeks on the importance of companies providing paid maternity leave.  Regardless of your position on the issue,  Kevin Mason makes a couple of intriguing arguments for why companies should adopt this policy.  Will it catch on?  Maybe.  But this is something that could become a major talking point in the coming years.

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