The U.S. DOL has issued new wage and hour regulations. This will require updates in most employers’ employee handbooks. At the time, NLRB continues its analysis of employee handbooks and finds significant problems in the wording and messages of employers’ policies. Additionally, the NLRB has further heightened the importance of employee handbooks in its revised rules on union elections. As a result, employers are required to review and update important sections of their handbooks. Meanwhile, states are passing new employment laws and regulations that require employers’ response and the proper communications to their employees.
In this environment employee handbooks must not only address key business and talent management issues, they must also provide proper notice and ensure that all critical and legally required handbook policies and the practices are effectively implemented.