Labor
Feds Seek to Overhaul Independent Contractor, Joint Employer Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it intends to withdraw the independent contractor final rule issued on Jan. 7, 2021, and rescind a current regulation on joint employer relationships under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which took effect on March 16, 2020.
Final Independent Contractor Rule Pushed Back Until May 7
The Department of Labor (DOL) has pushed back the effective implementation date of its final independent contractor rule from March 8 until May 7 to “allow the department to review issues of law, policy, and fact raised by the rule before it takes effect.”
House Passes Anti-Business Labor Bill Strongly Opposed by NAHB
The House on March 9 approved legislation strongly opposed by NAHB that contains dozens of sweeping labor law revisions that would negatively affect the construction labor market at a time of critical skilled worker shortages.
Regulatory Freeze for All Pending Regulations; Independent Contractor Rule Faces Delay
The Biden administration has implemented a regulatory freeze for all pending regulations. Of note to the housing community, this action means that the U.S. Department of Labor’s final independent contractor rule that was put forth in the waning days of the Trump administration, and scheduled to go into effect on March 8, will face a delay.
Residential Construction: Net Job Gains Offset Losses from the Pandemic
From May through December, the number of new residential construction jobs that were created offset the total amount of jobs that were lost earlier in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Labor Releases Final Independent Contractor Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a final rule clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to independent contractors. While the rule will make it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, it is still unclear if it will ultimately be implemented by the incoming Biden administration.
Court Blocks Part of Labor Department’s Joint Employer Rule
On Sept. 8, 2020, the federal district court for the Southern District of New York held that the part of the Department of Labor’s Joint Employer Rule dealing with vertical joint employment was arbitrary and capricious.
Department of Labor Proposes New Independent Contractor Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a proposed rule clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to independent contractors.
Nearly Half a Million Construction Workers Hired in June
After an accelerated pace of layoffs in March and April stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, construction sector hiring roared back in May and posted a slower but solid pace in June, according to the latest data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
IRS Instructs Employers on Reporting COVID Medical & Sick Leave Wages
The Internal Revenue Service has released Notice 2020-54, which requires employers to report the amount of qualified sick and family leave wages paid to employees under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act.
