Biden Administration Considering Raft of Changes to Labor Rules: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
The Department of Labor is planning new regulations on OSHA reporting, contract worker classification and possibly a new overtime salary minimum.
Workers and employers are awaiting new regulations from the Dept. of Labor. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest...
Here’s an update on the timeline for some key Dept. of Labor regulations. New rules on electronic reporting for injuries and illnesses are up first, likely to be issued in the coming weeks after initially being slated for March. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Admin., has released a draft rule that nixes some reporting requirements for establishments with 250 employees or more if they are not in a high-hazard industry. By contrast, establishments with 100 or more employees in high-hazard industries, as designated by OSHA, would be required to promptly report worker injuries and fatalities to the agency.
Next up is a new overtime salary threshold. The Biden administration has not yet revealed a specific number to replace the $35,568 threshold set by the Labor Dept. under Donald Trump. Employees paid below that figure are eligible for time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours per week.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The last of the Dept. of Labor's changes, a stricter rule for classifying workers as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act is expected no later than October. The Labor Dept. has proposed a six-part test for whether a worker qualifies as an employee or an independent contractor. Among the components of the test: the opportunity for profit or loss, investment by worker and employer, degree of permanence of a work relationship, nature and degree of control, skill and initiative and the extent to which the work performed is an integral part of an employer’s business.
And in related news a federal labor panel has retooled its independent contractor test, potentially making it easier for gig workers and others to unionize under the National Labor Relations Act. The National Labor Relations Board has overturned a Trump-era decision that elevated “entrepreneurial opportunity” over other factors when deciding whether a worker was an employee or contractor, returning to an earlier, Obama-era standard. Both the Trump and the Obama tests focus on the same 10 factors…despite their differences, including the amount of control the company has over the work, the skill required for a job and the pay... Note that workers won more classification battles with the Trump-era test than the Obama one, but the issue was also litigated less frequently under Trump.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Read more
- Safety Rights for Key California Workers Could Be Tightened: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
- Kiplinger Jobs Outlook
- Shortage of electrical engineers to power labor market growth: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
- Cooling Labor Market Can Help Inflation Come Down: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Farewell Paper I-Bonds: Savings Bonds Are Going Online-Only
The last remaining way to buy a paper savings bond in the U.S. (with your income tax refund) won't be available from January 2025. Tax filers will still be able to buy I-bonds online, however.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
-
Is Medicare a Good Reason to Wait Until 65 to Retire?
The average retirement age is 62, but many people wait until Medicare starts at 65. Should health care be the key driver of your retirement date?
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
China's Economy Faces Darkening Outlook
The Letter What the slowdown in China means for U.S. businesses.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Should We Worry About the Slowing U.S. Economy
The Letter With the labor market cooling off and financial markets turning jittery, just how healthy is the economy right now?
By David Payne Published
-
Kiplinger Special: How Businesses Should Budget for 2025
Kiplinger Forecasts From fuel to AI software subscriptions, here's what you can expect to pay next year.
By John Miley Published
-
Intel Braces for an Even Tougher Road Ahead
The Kiplinger Letter Amid a long, costly turnaround, Intel resets expectations again. Its new woes raise questions about U.S. industrial policy and global chip competition.
By John Miley Published
-
Kiplinger Special: The Long-Term Future of the U.S. Economy
The Kiplinger Letter Kiplinger's report into what it will take the U.S. to maintain a healthy economic growth rate.
By David Payne Published
-
Chinese E-Tailers Are Surging in the U.S. Market: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Low costs and cheap shipping enable Temu and others to grab market share.
By Matthew Housiaux Published
-
Why Your Electric Bill Will Keep Climbing
The Kiplinger Letter There's no end in sight for energy rate hikes, so look for ways to curb your power use.
By Jim Patterson Published
-
Future U.S. Economic Growth Hinges on Immigrants
The Kiplinger Letter With the native birthrate slipping, employers are increasingly relying on foreign-born workers to staff up.
By David Payne Published