U.S Copyright Office Releases Part 2 of Artificial Intelligence Report
On January 29, 2025, the U.S. Copyright office released Part 2 of its Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence on the legal and policy issues related to copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). This report, the 2nd of 3 parts, addresses the copyrightability of outputs created using generative AI (a type of AI that creates new content – text, […]
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Anna Elento-Sneed to Speak at Feb. 21 Webinar on “Navigating Recent Executive Orders”
ES&A President Anna Elento-Sneed and HEC COO and General Counsel Michelle Kim Stone will discuss the latest executive orders issued by President Trump and their potential ripple effects on federal agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs […]
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HIOSH Recordkeeping Classes in February
The State of Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health department (HIOSH) offers complimentary classes on HIOSH Recordkeeping to help business owners, HR professionals and safety managers understand what needs to be recorded, how to do it correctly, how to avoid common mistakes, and get advice tailored to different industries and to employers’ specific questions. Registration required; […]
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OSHA Annual Summary to Be Posted in Workplaces February-April
Employers required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the State of Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health department (HIOSH) to submit injury and illness data must review the 2024 OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, summarize the information using the OSHA 300-A Annual Summary form, certify the summary (by having a […]
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Bills for Employers to Watch in the 2025 Hawaii Legislature
Among the measures before the 2025 Hawaii Legislature of interest to employers are:
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2025 Employer Payroll Updates
2025 employer payroll updates are required to ensure that your employees benefit in a timely manner from the revised tax rates for Hawaii’s individual income taxes which go into effect January 2025. These changes are part of the 2024 Tax Cut Bill enacted last year, which makes incremental adjustments to the standard deduction amount and income […]
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OSHA Requires Construction Industry Employers Ensure Proper PPE Fit Effective January 13
In a recently revised Final Rule, OSHA has added specific language regarding the proper fit requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry to explicitly align it with standards already in place for general industry and shipyards, and to ensure workers of all sizes and body shapes have appropriate PPE. The issue of improperly […]
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2025 Flexible Spending Arrangement Contribution Limit Rises to $3,300
During 2025 open enrollment season for healthcare coverage, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds employers and employees that employees who choose to participate in Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) can contribute up to $3,300 through payroll deductions to use tax-free dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses not covered by other health plans. This is an […]
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HR Checklist for 2025 HR Operations
Update your operating systems for 2025 to reflect new employment laws and guidelines, including the following: Taxable Wage Base (per employee) $61,958 Tax Rate for New Employers 2.40% Maximum Tax Rate 5.60% Employment and Training Assessment (E&T) Rate 0.01% Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount $835
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Federal Judge Overturns USDOL OT Rule
On November 15, 2024, a Texas federal court judge vacated the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) final rule that increased the minimum salary thresholds for overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule, which took effect July 1, 2024, increased the minimum for executive, administrative or professional (EAP) exemptions from $684 to […]
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