While many of today’s younger workers – and voters – may not have experienced the bite of inflation eating more of their compensation, those of us who more clearly understand the meaning and impact of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are already seeing some effect from inflation. Among the many states, counties and cities that…
Read More »Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed the Victims Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) into law earlier this summer with it becoming effective on August 28. On that date, Missouri joined a number of other states in extending unpaid leave to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. VESSA applies to all employers in Missouri with…
Read More »In the context of the ongoing push to ease union organizing (think PRO Act, Biden being ‘most union-friendly president’ in history, NLRB becoming more advocacy-oriented, etc.), the state of Illinois does not intend to be left behind. In fact, earlier this year, the legislature passed a joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the…
Read More »Notwithstanding the economic realities of the ongoing labor shortage and the BLS data showing wages exceeding $15 per hour in supermarkets and restaurants across the country, advocates continue to push. In Nebraska, a host of community organizations announced the launch of Raise the Wage Nebraska, a 2022 ballot initiative campaign that would increase the current…
Read More »There have been a number of court rulings from various states around the country that we wanted to call to your attention as they impact issues on which we’ve reported and about which you may have concerns. First off, the California Supreme Court last week defined “premium pay” as the regular rate of pay used…
Read More »As the labor shortage continues to wreak havoc with small businesses across the country, the issue is being fought out in a host of different venues. First off, there are the many states that have announced (or already) that they are suspending or ceasing the extra bonus payments as we’ve reported in prior issues. That…
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For Andy Awale, who opened his first Dunkin’ in Georgia in 2015 and now has 10 locations, the spotlight was shining down on his new restaurant in Woodstock. On March 24, 2021, the location at 8000 Alabama Road NE (in metro Atlanta) officially became the one thousandth Next Gen restaurant to open in the Dunkin’…
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His friends thought he’d be too embarrassed, but Rob Wessel is up for anything that will help him do good and help others. That’s why they bet Wessel $100 he wouldn’t walk around his neighborhood in his Dunkin’ onesie—a white jumpsuit emblazoned all over with the iconic pink and orange Dunkin’ logo. “I said, ‘I…
Read More »Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer is proposing a deal for small business owners in The Wolverine State that would put a $15/hour minimum in place for many Michigan workers. The Governor’s plan would provide 3-month wage grants to businesses that agree to increase worker wages to $15 per hour with the grant paying the differential between…
Read More »The Illinois General Assembly gave final approval to a bill (HB 117) that broadens the applicability of the Secure Choice Savings Program, dropping the threshold at which employers must register to allow their employees to enroll in the retirement plan. House Bill 117 as amended provides that the program applies to all employers with at…
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