Blog

I. Key Updates

LABOR LAW UPDATES

CALIFORNIA

• AB 2693 (Updated Requirements for COVID-19 Exposure Notification Requirements to Employees): Taking into consideration the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, California law previously states that employers are required to provide written notice of potential COVID-19 exposure to employees within one day of receiving notice of exposure. Bill AB 2693 revises this requirement for employers and states that employers may now alert employees to a potential exposure of COVID-19 by displaying a noticeable exposure notice. In addition, this bill states that employers are no longer required to alert the local public agency within 2 days.
• AB 2068 (Requires Employers to Post OSHA Information Regarding Citations or Orders in English and Other Specified Languages): AB 2068 mandates that specific Cal-OSHA information be posted in the workplace in various languages. For example, any citation, order or special order required to be posted inside the workplace must be available to read in English and the top seven non-English languages as identified by the most recent U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survery, plus Punjabi. Cal-OSHA is responsible for drafting the alternate-language notices.

Source: hklaw.com ILLINOIS

• Protected Time Off Illinois employers are now mandated to provide their employees unpaid leave for absences resulting from a pregnancy loss, unsuccessful IVF treatment, a failed adoption or surrogacy, or any diagnosis which may affect pregnancy.
• Hairstyle Discrimination The Illinois amended Human Rights Act prohibits employers from engaging in discrimination based on numerous protected characteristics, including race. This amendment expands the definition of “race” to include traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.

Source: www.oflaherty-law.com

II. Trending Now in HR

TOP 5 HR TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2023 By: Alexia Duvigneau

The Great Resignation has impacted almost every industry in 2022. Today, many HR leaders are facing an inflection point – how do we attract, retain, and engage the talent we need to remain successful? However, as businesses start planning for 2023, many are turning the Great Resignation into a Great Opportunity. In this next year, HR departments are planning to lean into growing HR trends, like the digital transformation, mental health and employee wellbeing, people analytics, and workplace flexibility, to keep staff on board. And, they’ll be doing all that with decreased HR budgets. Let’s take a look at the trends human resources leaders should expect to see in 2023! 1. Top HR Trends For 2023: Navigating The Great Resignation Landscape A Gallup study found 48% of the U.S. working population was actively searching for new opportunities. The company pinpoints lower levels of employee engagement as the driving force for so many notices. In the face of the mass exodus from the labor market, attracting and retaining talent will be the hot commodity in 2022. However, companies will have to stretch far beyond employee engagement to retain their frontline workforce going forward. In 2022, we wanted to better understand what employees – especially frontline workers and their managers – wanted at work. So, we asked them. Our 2023 Frontline Trends Report deep dives into everything essential employees are looking for – and what is stressing them out. According to our survey, late shift changes, tough working conditions, and low wages are their top pain points. Companies that want to keep hold of their talent need to meet workers where they are. As such, we are seeing businesses take swift action when it comes to compensation. We see you, Amazon, and Costco! And, outside of pay, employers are:

• Adopting the digital transformation in human resources that eliminate wasteful processes and save HR departments time and resources
• Evolving workplace conditions with upgraded spaces, renewed protocols, and better safety training
• Using shift scheduling tools to create more predictable and easily accessible schedules
• Streamlining workplace technology that makes the life of a frontline worker much easier

Our survey also found frontline workers want more context around when and why things change. So, let’s give that to them. Digital frontline employee communication will play a pivotal role here. The majority of frontliners don’t have access to a company email address. Now more than ever, essential employees need a reliable tool to stay connected to their workplace. This is also a great opportunity to prioritize internal alignment between essential employees, leaders, and the company’s mission. Frontliners need insight into their leaders’ needs, goals, and objectives so they can see the bigger picture ahead. Finally, our survey found maintaining mental health and physical employee wellbeing remains one of the top trends in HR going into 2023. HR leaders are re-examining working conditions for hourly employees, including:

• Tough working environments
• Overly physical activities
• Long working shifts
• Access to mental health and employee wellbeing resources

Navigating the Great Resignation will be top of mind for HR professionals going into the following year. This means now is the time to listen to your frontline employees. Knowing and acting on their pain points, top motivators, and essential needs will go miles in retaining the staff you need to stay competitive. 2. Reskilling, Upskilling, and Flexible Development Opportunities Are Top Priorities For HR Leaders Professional learning and development are critical to creating a positive employee experience people want to be a part of. Especially for frontline employees. According to the World Economic Forum, more than one-third of jobs worldwide will be transformed thanks to workplace technology. Meaning more than one billion people will need to be reskilled and upskilled to keep up with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our frontline survey found that being able to learn new things is a top motivator for frontliners. And, according to Gartner, 59% of HR leaders are prioritizing critical skills-building in 2023. That makes flexible learning and development one of the top HR trends leaders should act on quickly. “As with solving any new challenge, we need to look at what’s not working in order to create something that has greater value. We need to build programs that will inspire workers to stay with their respective organizations and acquire the skills that can advance their careers or allow them to transition into more satisfying roles.” – FastCompany The HR digital transformation is making it easier to give employees on-demand access to training. In the future of work for frontline industries, employees need to be able to reskill, upskill, and develop new skills where and when it’s most convenient for them. One lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic will be meeting employees where they are when it comes to development. That means offering flexible opportunities that enable employees to access training when and where they need it. No matter if they’re in their home office, in the break room, or on the road. 3. People Analytics And Automation Are On The Rise Expanding the use of big data in HR has been on the rise for quite some time. Especially given the digital transformation seeping its way across all aspects of human resources. With businesses doing more with less in the talent arena, people analytics is getting the spotlight it deserves. However, HR professionals need tools and education at their fingertips to make data- driven decisions that make a positive impact. Currently, 62% of HR leaders admit to not being able to use people analytics to spot trends and provide actionable insights to inform business-related decisions. With the right people analytics tools, businesses can fuel smarter decision making while better understanding:

• The rationale for high employee turnover
• How much revenue is spent on new hires
• How the company shows up in terms of diversity metrics
• Why there is higher absenteeism than normal

Automation will also take center stage in HR operations in 2023. Things like chatbots, streamlined workflows, artificial intelligence, automated onboarding processes, and instant manager approvals will make everyone’s lives easier. The future of automation and people analytics in HR will look different for all organizations. However, the top trends in HR will certainly save time and boost efficiencies when human resources teams need it most. 4. Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stays At The Forefront 2021 HR trends focused on elevating workplace diversity and adopting an inclusive company culture. 2023 is expected to be the same – especially as it’s becoming an essential piece to an attractive employee experience. Workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to any company culture that wants to thrive in the next economy. Not only because it empowers employees to proudly bring their life experiences to the workplace. It also makes businesses more competitive in the labor market. In 2023 and beyond, workplace diversity will continue to play a critical role in retaining valuable talent. Currently, 70% of companies believe they effectively attract and retain diverse employees, yet only 11% really understand what it is. The digital transformation also plays a key part in bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to life for HR professionals. With mobile tools and technology, businesses can give their employees the platform they need to tell their stories. “We’re exposing the company to who the talent already is and telling those stories by amplifying voices. Platforms like Beekeeper is something we use internally at SH Hotels & Resorts to do that.” –Rahshib Thomas, SH Hotels & Resorts Take a look at how hoteliers like SH Hotels & Resorts emphasize the power of providing the right platform to ensure all employees feel heard, empowered, and engaged. 5. Workplace Flexibility Is Essential For A Frontline-First Employee Experience A flexible work environment is high on employees’ lists. And not just for full-time workers. Our survey found that there is a dire need for more flexible working hours in frontline jobs. And it’s not just hours. Better work-life balance, more time on weekends, and longer hours on fewer days are all on the table. Additionally, Gartner found that nearly half of frontline workers want more control over when, where, and how they work, but only a third of the workforce actually has flexibility. One way HR leaders are taking action on this is by introducing shift scheduling technology. These mobile tools make it easier for employees to access shift schedules from any location. Frontliners can also use these tools to find someone to switch shifts with in a pinch and receive instant approvals from their manager. Let’s also not forget that dispersed workforces are here to stay. Whether it’s a hybrid, remote working, frontline, or any combination in between – employees need flexible tools to stay connected. Enter: mobile productivity and collaboration platforms. HR teams are covering a lot of ground these days. This means more and more HR departments are leveraging flexible workplace tools to communicate with every employee about important topics, like:

• Company news and objectives
• Employee benefits
• Health and safety protocol changes
• Shift schedule changes
• Learning and development opportunities
• Mental health and employee wellbeing tips

These open communication channels enable HR departments to ensure the correct information is getting to the right employees through the best channels. And, as a result, HR leaders are taking action when frontline employees say they want more context, communication, and clarity from leaders in their workplace. ESCOCHECKS INC. commits to making you and your business prepared for all new laws and regulations. All future developments regarding the laws mentioned in this newsletter will be communicated to you as soon as they are released to help you stay fully compliant with all federal and state laws. Stay on top of all HR updates. Subscribe to The Monthly Rundown by Escochecks HR. Escochecks, Inc., is a trust-driven payroll, accounting, bookkeeping, HR and tax services firm with a personal touch! Our industry is motivated by relationships to establish and build reliance among our clients. Our team of experts comprises a minimum 5-15 years of experience in the field. Our job requires us to be responsive and attentive to our clients' needs and we deliver results. Our goal for them is to eliminate the administrative part of the business so that our clients can focus more on their business objectives and increase sales and productivity.