While the world has been focused on the U.S. and global economic meltdown, a historic presidential election, and staggering unemployment numbers, some pretty significant changes have been made in federal employment laws and regulations with most going into effect in just a few weeks. A recent issue of HR Hero Line includes a roundup of those laws and regulations including:
- new requirements for employers that offer mental heatlh coverage;
- requirements for federal contractors to use the E-Verify system to verify that workers are eligible to work in the United States;
- new FACT Act regulations to prevent identity theft;
- the ADA Amendments Act, under which many employees who previously would not have been eligible for protection as disabled now may be;
- changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations; and
- clarification of the new FMLA protection for military family members.
If your head isn’t spinning yet, just wait a few weeks. Between a new administration and Congress, layoffs and higher unemployment than we’ve seen in decades, and many other issues – such as health care, energy, and national security – that might jump to the forefront, 2009 is already shaping up to be an interesting year in employment law and human resources.
Keep up with the latest legal changes affecting employer benefits and trends in employee benefits with the Benefits and Compensation Law Alert and Benefits and Compensation Law for Nonprofits and with changes in federal employment laws in the Federal Employment Law Insider.