Welcome to our September edition of “HR News You Should Know.” This month has brought significant legal and regulatory updates that could have profound effects on your workplace policies and practices. Catch up on the latest news and updates:
Politics at Work
With the Presidential election looming, this issue is on a lot of people’s minds. It was a hot topic at Catapult’s annual Employment and Labor Law Update and continues to spark conversation on our HR Advice Line and The Hub. Check out this thread on the Hub for advice and resources. Fisher Phillips law firm has also created an Election Season Resource Center for Employers packed full of valuable information.
Overtime Rule Latest
A few weeks ago, the US Department of Labor received a much-needed win. In Mayfield v. U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit held that the US DOL does have the authority to set a minimum salary for exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The US DOL’s 2024 rule took effect on July 1, 2024, increasing the standard salary level from $684 to $844 per week. On Jan. 1, 2025, the salary level will again increase from $844 to $1,128 per week ($43,888 to $58,656 per year). The rule also enables the DOL to update the salary levels automatically every three years starting July 1, 2027.
Mayfield v. U.S. Department of Labor ruled the DOL has the authority to set salary thresholds, but the 2024 final rule is still currently facing several legal challenges. The 5th Circuit’s ruling in Mayfield will likely be used by the agency to defend its new rule in those legal challenges. Notably, the Mayfield ruling does not change employers’ obligations to comply with the most recent white-collar salary level increase that went into effect on July 1, 2024. Employers should continue to monitor this situation, as the remaining legal challenges may still impact what happens in January.
Click here to read Catapult’s full brief.
Employers & Agents: Helpful Tips Leading Up to 3Q Unemployment Wage Report Filings
Employers and agents can begin filing their third quarter unemployment wage reports and make payments—due Oct. 31.
Here are some helpful tips as you prepare for your 3Q2024 unemployment wage reports:
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To get technical assistance and guidance on how to use NCSUITS, use the NCSUITS Online Help feature on the lower lefthand side of your NCSUITS portal screen.
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Make sure you have the latest version of your payroll software before beginning a wage report.
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When creating and saving a file using the CSV format, a pop-up window will appear on the screen. The pop-up message will give two options: Convert the file or Do Not Convert the File. Choose Do Not Convert the File to avoid error messages.
More Information: Go to des.nc.gov/ncsuits to find instructional videos, frequently asked questions, filing format instructions, sample file formats, error codes and more.
