In perhaps the most sweeping change to employment law in years, the recent passage of the "ADA Amendments Act" (ADAAA) will mean a massive change for most of the country's employers.  These changes, which will go into effect on January 1, 2009, will not only have an impact on the defense of employment litigation claims, they will require almost all human resource professionals, managers, and business owners to adopt new policies and procedures in dealing with accommodation requests.

2008 Fall Employment Conference Has Been Scheduled For October 15th at Prairie Meadows in Altoona

The 2008 Iowa Employment Conference will be held on October 15^th at Prairie Meadows in Altoona from 8:00 a.m. until 4 p.m.  This one-day premier conference will feature powerful and informative concurrent sessions presented by leading human resource and training consultants, attorneys and benefit consultants on the most critical employment issues likely to affect Iowa employers in 2009.

EEOC Bias Complaints Surge

If the first few months of fiscal year 2008 are any indication of a trend, then the record number of charge filings with the EEOC could be shattered—and could make the 2007 increase look like a drop in the bucket.

During the first quarter of the EEOC's 2008 fiscal year the number of filings jumped 21 percent from the previous year.  In February 2008 (the latest statistics available), the number increased 31 percent from 12 months earlier—from approximately 30,000 filings to slightly more than 40,000.

IRS Increases Mileage Rates through December 31, 2008

The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008.  Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Approaching Deadlines for Human Resource/Payroll Professionals

Latest Department of Labor Numbers