Unhealthy Air - Smoke and Contaminants Safety Risk

Hazy, polluted, smoky air is hard to ignore and should not be dismissed without taking proper precautions. Employees who normally have respiratory sensitivities, such as people with asthma, COPD, diabetes, colds, and allergies may be affected the most. However, anyone can experience adverse side effects like diziness, shortness of breath, headaches, throat or sinus irritation, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, etc. These side effects pose potential safety risks for employees in the workplace. Employees experiencing symptoms may be unable to perform their duties safely, which can lead to injury or illness on the job. Protect your employees by allowing them to take breaks, as needed indoors, for mandatory outdoor work and otherwise minimize outdoor exposure. Also, consider offering appropriate masks and providing additional water for employees. Finally, keep an eye out and an ear open. Safety is everyone's responsibility, encourage employees to look out for one another and report anything suspicious or unsafe. 

Unpaid Interns and Students - Fair Labor Standards Act - Update

The thought of having unpaid interns or students can sometimes make businesses feel uneasy or vulnerable. However, The FLSA's recent changes to the test for unpaid interns and students may make adding unpaid interns or students less daunting for businesses. Optimum Professional Solutions, LLC can help you utilize unpaid interns. Rest assured, OPS can work to make sure your practices are compliant with current employment laws. Contact us today for a consultation!

 

Are you ready for Paid Sick and Safe Leave (PSSL) and Healthy Starts?

You may have heard about Washington State's new PSSL ordinance. In case you haven't, contact us. Effective January 1 2018, employers will be required to give employees 1 hour of Paid Sick and Safe Leave per 40 hours worked. This includes part time employees and overtime hours are also required to count toward the accrual. We would be happy to make sure your company is ready to take on PSSL.

In addition, Healthy Starts becomes effective the same time as PSSL. Healthy Starts provides working pregnant women with certain protections relating to their pregnancy. For example, in most cases employers cannot require pregnant employees to provide a doctor's note for accommodations for things like frequent water, bathroom or eating breaks.

These new changes can put current employers at risk for penalties and fines if they do not comply. Optimum Professional Solutions can support your business by implementing policies that comply with the laws and eliminate your risk.