Updated Michigan Minimum Wage Poster Reflects Changes in Minor Rates

An updated Michigan Minimum Wage Law poster includes new language reflecting two changes in the lowest wage that must be paid to minors 16 and 17 years of age.

The mandatory poster issued by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth now states that minors must be paid at least $6.29 per hour between July 1, 2008 and July 23, 2008, and $6.55 per hour as of July 24.

The $6.29 rate is based on a requirement that minors be paid at least 85 percent of the state’s minimum wage, which increases from $7.15 per hour to $7.40 per hour on July 1. Minors must be paid a minimum wage of $6.08 per hour until July 1.

Another change in the minimum wage for minors will occur on July 24, when the federal minimum wage increases from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour.

Michigan employers will need to pay minors the federal minimum wage as of July 24 since it is higher than the $6.29 per hour rate in effect from July 1 to July 23. That new $6.55 rate is also included on the updated minimum wage poster.

Revised Ohio Equal Employment Poster Includes Military Status as Protected Class

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised Ohio Equal Employment poster now includes “military status” in a list of protected classes as a result of a new law that went into effect on March 24, 2008.

The mandatory poster, issued by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, has been completely revised. Wording in the title of the poster has been changed from “Fair Employment” to “Equal Employment Opportunity”.

Included in the changes for the revised poster are new “Harassment” and “Retaliation” sections. In a new “Enforcement” section, a time limit has been added for filing complaints (within six months).

The protected class of “sex” has been changed to “sex and pregnancy” on the poster, while the protected class of “age” now includes the criteria “40 years of age or older”.

In addition, educational institutions are now included as being subject to the Ohio Civil Rights Act. The previous poster referred to the Ohio Fair Employment Practices Law.

Other changes on the poster include an expansion of the areas of employment in which discrimination is prohibited and new information about prohibited forms of employment discrimination.

A map showing the location of Ohio Civil Rights Commission regional offices and a list of their addresses and phone numbers have been eliminated from the revised poster.

Revised Nevada Unemployment Insurance Poster Includes Online Filing Option

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised mandatory Nevada Unemployment Insurance poster includes a new website address for those wanting to file for benefits over the Internet.

In addition, employment services are now provided by Nevada JobConnect instead of Nevada Job Link.

The new website for filing claims online is included as an option along with three phone numbers for the state’s Telephone Claim Center. The Nevada JobConnect logo has also been added to the poster.

New language in the poster states that instead of registering for employment by reporting to the nearest Nevada Job Link office, applicants should request these services from the nearest JobConnect career center. They can also find the information online at the new website listed on the poster.

Revised Unemployment Insurance Poster Issued for New Hampshire

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised New Hampshire labor law poster includes new language affirming that the state’s Employment Security department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The mandatory Unemployment Notice also includes language clarifying the fact that employers pay the tax that is deposited in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund from which benefits are paid.

In addition, a new website address is listed for anyone wishing to file an unemployment insurance claim over the Internet. A TTY/TDD Access number has also been added to the revised poster.

Revised Maryland Employment Discrimination Poster Includes New Categories

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised labor law poster that includes new categories for which a qualified person cannot be denied a job has been issued by the Maryland Commission on Human Relations.

The mandatory poster now states that a qualified person cannot be denied employment in Maryland for 10 specific reasons, including “religion” and “disability”.

The previous poster stated that a person could not be denied employment because of their “creed” or “physical or mental disability”.

In addition, the revised poster now states that employment discrimination in Maryland is “unlawful”. The previous poster stated that such discrimination was “illegal”.

There are also changes in the wording of the poster in a section outlining unlawful discriminatory practices for employment agencies and newspapers. A local phone number has been added to the poster.

Revised Louisiana Earned Income Credit Poster Includes New Eligibility Requirements

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised mandatory labor law poster issued by the Louisiana Department of Labor includes new eligibility requirements for employees who wish to sign up for the federal Earned Income (EIC) program.

Earned Income Credits are reductions in federal income tax liability for which employees may be eligible if they meet certain requirements.

The Louisiana Earned Income Credit poster has been updated for 2008 to include a new section giving specific income limits for employees depending on the number of children they have.

The poster issued by the Louisiana Department of Labor also includes a new requirement that employees must have valid Social Security numbers to be eligible for advance Earned Income Credit payments.

Revised Alabama Child Labor Laws Poster Includes Both State and Federal Requirements

News Release from the Poster Compliance Center Research Dept.

A revised labor law poster issued by the Alabama Department of Labor includes new language that incorporates both state and federal requirements for employers hiring youths in the state.

The mandatory workplace poster titled “Youth Rules!” has been rewritten in a question and answer format that includes “What Jobs Can I Do?” and “When Can I Work?” sections.

The poster provides answers to these questions for specific age groups based on both state and federal laws. The stricter laws regarding youth employment are shown in italics on the poster.

Included in the poster are new employment restrictions for children 13 or younger and new information on work hours for minors 16 years and older. Sections regarding jobs on premises serving alcoholic beverages and inspections by the Department of Labor have also been removed.

In addition, contact information for the federal Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has been added to the poster.