Human Resources

There were nearly a million engineering roles advertised in August of this year, according to HRDive, placing engineering among the top ten most in-demand professions.

Only about 15% of these vacancies can be filled every year, however, with only about 141,000 students graduating with degrees in engineering each year. Still, many employers are reporting that the engineers who they do hire lack the experience or skillset required to complete projects on time. 11/14/2024

A recent article from OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips reports that a second Trump administration may bring notable changes to workplace law, with expected shifts in labor relations, safety protocols, and employment classifications.

Employers could see rollbacks on OSHA’s “walkaround” rights for union reps, adjustments to the new overtime pay eligibility rule, and a more relaxed standard for classifying independent contractors. These changes are likely to provide employers with greater flexibility while reducing certain regulatory requirements.11/6/2024

U.S. job openings dropped to more than a 3-1/2-year low in September, primarily driven by the surge in labor demand in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The hurricanes and strikes are predicted to have temporarily curbed October’s job growth, but consumer confidence of the unemployment hit a nine-month high.

This comes just days ahead of the U.S. Department of Labor releasing the final snapshot of hiring and unemployment in the United States. The report is expected to show 120,000 jobs were added in October, less than half of September’s numbers. 10/31/2024

An article from UtilityDive highlighted the successes of internal mentorship programs to build a talent pipeline and prepare existing workers to take on leadership roles.

With the National Association of Manufacturers projecting that American manufacturers could need nearly 4 million workers in the next decade, mentorship programs might hold the key to retaining talent and ensuring institutional knowledge and skills are passed to the next generation. 10/24/2024

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created a concise guide for employers navigating the 2024 election season. It highlights key points from their comprehensive FAQs, focusing on employers’ rights and responsibilities during this period.

The cheat sheet covers essential topics such as managing political discussions in the workplace, ensuring compliance with voting leave laws, and handling requests for time off to vote. 10/17/2024

OMA President Ryan Augsburger expressed relief that the port strike is over, for now, but cautioned that the matter is not yet settled altogether noting that the master contract will expire on January 15.

“We were pleased to add the OMA’s name to this joint industry letter asking the Biden administration to settle the strike by invoking the Taft-Hartley Act,” said Augsburger. “The agreement avoids the need for government intervention and will prevent further disruption.”

In a statement, NAM President Jay Timmons urged the Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Academy to use this time to reach a fair and lasting agreement. 9/3/2024

A recent report by ABI Research highlights that 50% of the top workforce challenges for manufacturers stem from talent-related issues rather than technology. Key concerns include recruiting skilled staff, retaining employees, and addressing wage expectations and union memberships.

A lack of expertise is hindering digitalization efforts, with many manufacturers prioritizing staff training as a critical investment to boost productivity. As the talent gap continues to widen, with nearly 2 million workers potentially needed in the coming years, manufacturers must focus on improving recruitment, training, and work flexibility to remain competitive. 9/27/2024

A recent survey by Intelligent.com reveals that many companies are hesitant to hire recent college graduates, with 60% of employers having let go of Gen Z workers this year due to concerns about their work ethic, communication skills, and professionalism.

Employers noted that these young workers often struggle with workplace dynamics, autonomy, and lack soft skills critical for success. However, experts caution against generational stereotypes. Manufacturing leaders like Karla Trotman stress the importance of adapting workplaces to attract and retain Gen Z talent, emphasizing the need for perks such as flexible work environments and benefits that address both physical and mental well-being. 9/24/2024

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that the U.S. Department of Labor has the power to set a salary basis floor for workers to be considered exempt from overtime pay.

This is a major step in favor of the agency as the rule is only months away from its Jan. 1 start date. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created a breakdown of the court’s decision, the agency rule, and how employers can prepare for the take-effect date. 9/12/2024

According to a recent report by Gallagher, about 43% of employers support career development to boost engagement, and 35% have increased the importance of career well-being in 2024. The report highlights that more employers are recognizing the value of investing in their employees’ growth and development to maintain a motivated and committed workforce. 9/5/2024

While the Federal Trade Commission ban on non-compete agreements is now overturned, what is left in its wake might be even more complex. Employers breathing a sigh of relief still need to navigate the patchwork of state regulations regarding non-competes.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has broken down 10 things employers still need to consider now that the non-compete ban is dead. 9/5/2024

In a win for Ohio manufacturers, a federal judge in Texas this week barred a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule from taking effect that would ban noncompete agreements.

The judge cited that the FTC does not have the authority to ban practices it deems unfair methods of competition by adopting broad rules.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created an analysis of the ruling, and examines how future appeals might shape the rule. 8/20/2024

From internship and apprenticeship programs to streamlining hiring processes, there are always ways to improve how a business fills open roles and retains their talent.

Rather than wait for the labor shortage to end, OMA Connections Partner Arrowhead Talent Solutions offers these tips to get ahead of the market and thrive while others scramble to fill open roles. 8/15/2024

Recreational marijuana sales in Ohio began this past Tuesday following Ohio voters’ decision to legalize the drug in last year’s ballot initiative.

Existing medical marijuana dispensaries are now authorized to sell products for recreational use after the state approved licenses to sell both medical and adult-use products, with more licenses expected to be granted in the coming weeks and months.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has detailed six steps employers should follow now that recreational sales are active. 8/6/2024

Covid-19 sparks a renaissance in remote work, with many office jobs transitioning to full-time or hybrid work from home models. The manufacturing industry was no exception, with roughly 41% of the industry adopting remote roles in 2020.

But manufacturers were left with an obvious problem: the majority of manufacturing jobs are kinetic, requiring employees to be hands-on. Hear from Manufacturing Dive on how some in the industry have shifted their perspective on work-from-home policies and are addressing the challenges. 7/25/2024

Recreational marijuana will soon be available for purchase in Ohio after last November’s ballot initiative legalized it in the state.

These insights provide a detailed look at what is now legal under the statute, and what companies and leaders need to know in crafting workplace policies around recreational marijuana. 7/18/2024

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), originally formed to reduce healthcare costs, have instead been found to inflate medication prices and overcharge for treatments like cancer therapies.

The FTC’s findings, following a two-year investigation, reveal that PBMs’ practices lead to higher costs for health plans, employers, and patients, especially those on Medicare. Amidst significant advocacy and legislative efforts for reform, the report underscores the need for increased transparency and regulation to prevent PBMs from profiting at the expense of patients and manufacturers. 7/11/2024

This year, a slew of new federal and state workforce laws are hitting the books beginning July 1, including the federal overtime rule making millions of workers newly eligible for overtime pay.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this cheat sheet highlighting the new federal, state, and local rules, and what businesses need to know heading into July. 6/25/2024

The implementation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime salary threshold is rapidly approaching its July 1 rollout date, and leaving many unanswered questions on who is exempt.

OMA Connections Partner FisherPhillips answers questions on what is changing, which employees are exempt, and will this new rule even stick around. 6/20/2024

Employers are leaning more and more on AI tools to process and sort through applications and candidate date, but the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently took aim at some of these tools. The ACLU’s recent filing with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleges that certain personality assessments, a video interview tool, and a cognitive ability assessment screening device, all powered by AI, unfairly screen out applicants with disabilities and unfairly target those with certain racial backgrounds. Hear from OMA Connections Partner FisherPhillips for an overview of the filing, and what employers who use these tools should do to prepare for potential changes to AI hiring tools. 6/13/2024