Tag: Hurricane Katrina

Is Your Emergency Preparedness Training Current and Continuous?

Review your emergency plan regularly so you can determine whether it needs to be revised or updated based on new facilities, new equipment, new procedures, new materials, etc. In addition, periodic training sessions give you the opportunity to remind and update your workforce about any changes to procedures or to their individual responsibilities in the […]

Senate Rejects Boost in Federal Minimum Wage

Measures to raise the federal minimum wage to $6.25 per hour, up from the current $5.15 per hour, failed in the Senate last week. One measure, introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) as an amendment to a spending bill, was rejected in a 51-47 vote, and a similar GOP-introduced bill went down in a 57-42 […]

State Joins IRS in Tax Breaks for Hurricane Relief Donations

The California Franchise Tax Board has announced state tax benefits for businesses and employees who aid Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by donating the cash value of employee leave time. The program–which mirrors a similar federal IRS program announced last week–allows workers to donate unused sick, vacation, or other personal leave time in exchange for the […]

Employment Law Tip: Turning Leave Time into Help for Hurricane Victims

If you and your employees are looking for valuable ways to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, a new program launched by the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service may help you out. In particular, the agencies have announced a program for employees to donate leave in exchange for employer cash […]

I-9 Rules Relaxed for Hurricane Victims Seeking Jobs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that for 45 days, until October 21, 2005, the I-9 employment eligibility verification rules will be relaxed for victims of Hurricane Katrina who are seeking jobs but can’t produce the required I-9 documentation. Many victims lack these documents as a result of evacuations, loss or damage, and […]