labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The U.S. Department of Labor recently released the final North Dakota USERRA regulations. USERRA is the acronym of Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The 1994 law protects the rights of veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve. In particular, the USERRA allows soldiers to return to their civilian jobs after up to 5 years of leave for military duty.

Under the USERRA, soldiers are entitled to the same job, salary and benefits as if they had not been absent. Several test cases have established that when promotions are given based on seniority, returning veterans are entitled to the promotion they would have received, had they never enrolled. They are also entitled to annual salary increases or cost-of-living increases that have occurred in their absence.

With the introduction of the final USERRA regulations, this is an excellent time for every employer to update his or her North Dakota USERRA poster. According to the Department of Labor, every company is requited to display the USERRA poster, even if the regulations don’t apply to any of their employees.

Recently, employees of the federal government were included in the list of those entitled to receive assistance from the Department of Labor, when they present claims related to USERRA. There is a division within the Department of Labor, known as the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service that assists veterans with claims related to the USERRA regulations.

Returning members of the armed forces including Army, Navy or Air Force Reserve members have a 5-year period of protection for their civilian jobs. In general, the regulations state that a soldier may take a total of 5 years away from work for active duty, and still return to their civilian job. For example, a soldier who was on active duty for 3 years could go on active duty another 2 years at a later date, and still have his or her job protected.

Each spring, Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated in the United States and Canada. This is a good time express appreciation for the people who are great contributors to our organization. Flowers, candies, and of course, a delicious lunch, are always welcome by anyone. But, why not add one more gift?

Why not establish a day each year to review office safety? 

Maybe some employees are suffering health problems from working on computers. This is very common in the modern office, with plenty of computers. Computers improve the efficiency of the business and the workers, but they also produced some new illness in the workforce. That is the case with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a pain in the joints of the hands and fingers, that develops in those who type for long hours as a routinely task. Eyestrain is another problem, a consequence of looking at the computer screen for long hours. Dizziness or headaches also increased  with the use of computers. 

North Dakota worker safety should be a priority.  That is what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is recommending to every business and in any workplace. 

Housekeeping is one activity directly related to the safety of the workers. A place of work that is dirty, cluttered or wet, increases the risk of accidents, and also negatively affects the working environment. 

The corridors, passageways and hallways must be free of obstacles, and in good sanitary condition. 

All of the wiring should be hidden. The computers and other equipment have lots of wires. It’s an annoyance for anyone to work in a place full of cables. Frequently the wires become an obstacle and many workers have stumbled because of them. 

Today can be your starting day. Let’s write in your calendar “Office Safety Day”. Every action to improve the working conditions of your staff will create better results for your organization. Your workers will appreciate that you keep them in mind.

Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of death and injury in the workplace. Surprising, isn’t it? As a matter of fact, in the year 2005, 732 slips, trips and falls resulted in death in the United States. Everyone should be made aware of such incidents when they happen at your place of employment. That is why OSHA forms are posted each year.

The first of February and the last of April mark the dates the North Dakota OSHA 300 posters need to be where employees can read them. Forms should be in a prominent area so that all of the company employees can view this information. In addition to the posting, a copy of the form should be sent the nation’s OSHA for their annual files.

Federal OSHA records report that an amazing 255,750 people fell while at work in 2005. This resulted in back injuries, sprains and fatalities. It is an alarming statistic. If it weren’t for the terribly high number of automobile related deaths, work-related slips, trips and falls would be number one of the causes of the loss of life.

In the year 2005, also reported by the national OSHA, 4,214,200 work related accidents occurred. It is very good to keep in mind that accidents can happen anywhere. Even in the comfort of your steady job that you may have spent years doing, safety should come first. People often slack on procedures after having done certain things for many years. For example, operating machinery is something that a person can do incorrectly. Even though they may have done things the same way for many years, something could go wrong.

A word to the wise is always be careful. No matter what your experience level is novice or veteran, take precautions at work. You might save a life — even your own.