The Family and Medical Leave Act protects workers' jobs under four sets of circumstances, but employers and employees must earn eligibility before the law can cover them.

U.S. Department of Labor Releases Long-Awaited Overtime Rule

Originally Published By: Troutman Sanders LLP on March 12, 2019

Last week, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued its long-awaited proposed change to the minimum salary threshold for the white-collar exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The new minimum salary threshold is $35,308/year (or $679/week).

This new rule is not finalized nor in effect now. Rather, the new rule is open for a notice and comment period, with the DOL accepting public comments for 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. The Department of Labor predicts that the new rule will likely become effective in January 2020.

Give ‘Em a Break: Employees Want Their Lunch Break Back

Even though employees value lunch breaks, many don’t take them. What can employers do to address this and make sure their workforce is energized in the afternoon?

Employers in Massachusetts will need to remove rate of pay and salary questions from their  job applications to comply with the new law.

Changes to the Law on Leave for Veterans
By Michael C. Birch of HRW October 24, 2018

On August 28, 2018, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law An Act Relative to Veterans Benefits, Rights, Appreciation, Validation and Enforcement (the “BRAVE Act”). The BRAVE Act goes into effect on November 7, 2018. Among other things, the law changes the requirements for employers to grant leave to veterans on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

THE OLD LAW
The old law, which only went into effect in 2016, required employers to grant veterans time off on Veterans Day and Memorial Day to participate in an exercise, parade, or service in their community. The law also required employers with 50 or more employees to pay veterans for leave taken on Veterans Day.

The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Notice Requirements:

The Alpha Group, Inc. is in compliance with The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees.

How do you stay competitive when employee perks are higher than ever been before? Netflix, Facebook, and Google pay top dollar and offer some of the best benefit packages to ever exist. On the other side, turnover rates are also higher than ever before. Today, the average person has four different jobs before the age of thirty two. Twenty years ago, the averaged person had only two jobs before they were thirty two (CNN Money). The question is, do better perks equal happier employees? See what we found keeps employees happy and tenured at a company.

The Alpha Group, Inc. reminds you to be safe this winter!

Winter in New England is always unpredictable. Take a moment to review some Winter Driving Safety Tips to help you and your colleagues travel to and from work safely.

Originally Published By: WCR Insurance

Winter Driving Safety Tips
 

Take a few minutes to cover a few basics

• Get an earlier-than-usual start and plan for the trip to take longer than normal.

• Clear your entire vehicle of snow. Snow left on the roof and hood can easily end up on the windshield or rear window, obstructing your view.

• Clear ice off all windows and side mirrors. Clearing just a peephole will get you out of the driveway faster, but will also obstruct your line of vision.

• Remove snow from your shoes before you get in the car to avoid fogging up the windows and creating slippery gas and brake pedals.

• Always use your seatbelt and insist any passengers do so as well.

What makes a good manager?

The answer may vary according to the size of the business, the industry it operates in and lots of other factors. Yet, we can find similarities between great managers: they are all leaders with a clear vision of the future and a heartfelt desire to innovate. A good leader will also influence people and know how to motivate them.