Posts By: Jason Resnick

2022 H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates Announced

On December 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published the 2022 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs). The AEWRs are the mandatory minimum wages agricultural employers must pay workers employed under the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa program as well as any domestic workers employed in corresponding employment. The AEWRs are…

DOL Proposes New Rules on AEWR Methodology

On December 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register designed  to modify the methodology used to determine the hourly Adverse Effect Wage Rates for the H-2A program. The proposed rule, entitled “Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A,” is the ...

2022 H-2A Wage Rates Effective December 29

On December 15, 2021, the Employment Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) issued its notice to announce the 2022 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the employment of temporary and seasonal workers under the H-2A program. Employers must pay their H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment at least the highest of: ...

Key Changes of Readopted Cal/OSHA ETS

On December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board approved a revision and extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Incorporated in the approved revisions are some rather significant changes employers should be aware of. Amongst the changes, some significant modifications to COVID-19 prevention and response requirements for the workplace include: Face Coverings…

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear PAGA Challenge

The United States Supreme Court has granted review in a case in which the Justices will decide whether the Federal Arbitration Act requires enforcement of a bilateral arbitration agreement providing that an employee cannot raise representative claims, including under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).  In the case, Viking River…

401(k) Limits Updated for 2022

2022 contribution limit for 401(k) plans will increase to $20,500. Employees 50 and older can make an annual catch-up contribution up to $6,500 in 2022 (same as 2021), for a total contribution of $27,000. There are many benefits for employers that offer a 401(k) plan. It can give employers an edge when it comes to ...

2022 Mileage Reimbursement Rates

Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the optional standard mileage rate used in deducting the costs of operating an automobile for business purposes will be 58.5 cents per mile, the IRS announced in Notice 2022-03 on Dec. 17. Employers often use the standard mileage rate—also called the safe harbor rate—to pay tax-free reimbursements to employees who use ...