Karen Shannon is Vice President of BusinessConsulting/CHRO for Ollis/Akers/Arney. Karen has served in senior leadership positions in banking and human resources for over 30 years. She and her team provided HR services to 5,000 employees across the US, United Kingdom, India and Mexico. Today, she works with world-wide clients on key business and HR strategies which have resulted in cost savings upward of $7 million.
Karen received her MBA and BA in Business Administration and Economics from Drury University. She is a graduate of Leadership Missouri, past president of the Junior League, and was appointed to the Board of Trustees for banker education for the Missouri Bankers Association. She has served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations and is a regular presenter at national and regional conferences. Karen was recognized in 2000 by the Springfield Business Journal in its inaugural class of the Most Influential Women in Business.
How do I mitigate claims of wrongful employment action?
These claims typically occur when an employee, former employee, or job applicant believes their workplace rights have been violated. To prevent employment practices claims develop and maintain an employee handbook with thorough policies and procedures; establish recruiting standards to prevent discrimination; implement employee relations best practices; use effective strategies for making employment decisions; and develop and retain documentation of all employment practices and decisions.
Can I rescind a job offer to a candidate?
In some situations, employers must rescind a job offer for a valid, lawful, and nondiscriminatory reason. Common reasons may include a failed drug test; failed background or credit check; inaccurate resume or application; concerns based on candidate behavior or negative reference checks; or failure to obtain required credentials. Review relevant federal, state, and local laws such as Fair Credit Reporting Act and Ban-the-Box criminal history laws.
When are Medicare Part D disclosures due for my health plan?
Group health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicating whether the plan's prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This disclosure requirement applies when an employer-sponsored group health plan provides prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D. For calendar year health plans, the deadline for the annual online disclosure is March 1, 2025.
When do I post my OSHA Form 300A?
Employers subject to OSHA’s recordkeeping rule must post a summary of 2024 work-related injuries and illnesses in a noticeable place from February 1 to April 30 using Form 300A. Minor injuries that are treated only by first aid do not need to be recorded. Employers must complete an incident report (Form 301) for each injury or illness and log work-related incidents on OSHA Form 300.
Do I have to make Paid Sick Leave available January 1 under Proposition A?
No. Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Missouri will increase from $12.30 per hour to $13.75 per hour. Effective January 1, 2026, it will increase to $15 per hour. Beginning January 1, 2027 and beyond, it will be modified according to cost-of-living changes. The Paid Sick Leave provision is effective May 1, 2025, and must be communicated by April 15, 2025.
Is the FLSA white-collar exemption minimum salary increase still slated for January 1?
No. On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated the Department of Labor’s final rule on a nationwide basis, returning the standard salary level for executive, administrative, and professional white-collar exemptions to $684 per week ($35,568 per year) and $107,432 per year for Highly Compensated Employees. Employees who lost their exempt classification because of the July 1 salary level increase may potentially qualify again for an exemption.
Are there any court cases coming up that could impact employers?
The Supreme Court’s current term has two cases which could impact the workplace. An employee misclassification case will decide the burden of proof employers must satisfy to establish an exemption from minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). The court will also decide whether a former employee has the right to sue their former employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Watch for updates.
Any suggestions for preparing for the upcoming elections?
Employers should be aware of voting leave requirements established by Missouri statutes for employees that need time off to vote during poll hours. Politically charged environments have created conflict in the workplace. Employers who establish clear expectations for appropriate workplace behavior may get ahead of potential issues. Revisit your code of conduct, social media, and dress code policies to ensure clear expectations.
Any indication of what employers plan to budget for wage increases in 2025?
The latest Salary Budget Planning Report by Willis Towers Watson shows that salary budget increases are expected to rise by 3.9% in 2025. The overall median pay raise for 2024 dropped to 4.1% compared to 4.5% in 2023. Although these expected wage increases have declined since 2023, they remain high compared to many prior pay cycles, where a 3% increase was common.
