Labor

  • A U.S. Department of Labor sign is see outside the agency.
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    Kate Tornone/Facilities Dive
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    DOL’s final overtime rule clears White House review

    The U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule, if adopted, would raise the minimum annual salary threshold that determines overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act from $35,568 to $55,068.

    By Ryan Golden • April 17, 2024
  • A blue clipboard with a white paper that says "OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration," and protective gear lying above it.
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    designer491 for iStock via Getty Images
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    OSHA publishes final employee walkaround rule

    The rule, effective May 31, reverts to a long-standing practice that gives employees the right to select a third-party advocate to accompany a safety inspection.

    By Zachary Phillips • April 11, 2024
  • The Match High School and Career Center.
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    Courtesy of Ameresco
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    $5.3M DOE grant to fund Indianapolis vocational education campus

    Ameresco and charter school operator Matchbook Learning are building a high school and career center powered by renewable energy.

    By Brian Martucci • April 3, 2024
  • Thousands of bargaining committee members, including commercial cleaners and porters, rally in New York City in December 2023, seeking higher wages and improved benefits.
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    Permission granted by 32BJ SEIU
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    What employers need to know about union organizing in 2024

    The game has completely changed in the wake of the Cemex decision, attorneys from Cozen O’Connor said in a March 21 webinar.

    By Emilie Shumway • April 2, 2024
  • African American IT Engineer in Data Center
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    SeventyFour via Getty Images
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    JLL, Nomad Futurist Foundation to develop free data center training program

    The curriculum, based on JLL’s in-house training courses, intends to address talent scarcity and related workforce challenges in the data center industry.

    By • March 29, 2024
  • Employees work in an office, with two conversing in the background.
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    Violeta Stoimenova via Getty Images
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    Employees cite lack of productivity, high commuting costs as return-to-office barriers

    While 73% of respondents reported that they feel more connected to their company when they are in the office with their colleagues, 76% said a lack of equipment limits their productivity.

    By • March 20, 2024
  • A modern office with a mix of desk space, relaxation areas, lockers and collaborative space.
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    .shock via Getty Images
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    Workplace redesign could help with return to office, VergeSense says

    Employees claim there’s not enough productive space even though office utilization remains below pre-pandemic levels, the firm says.

    By S.L. Fuller • March 15, 2024
  • Joe Biden smiles while delivering remarks.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Biden administration announces expansion of registered apprenticeships

    The administration previously announced $200 million in grant funding to support apprenticeship programs in high-demand areas, such as the clean energy, hospitality and supply chain sectors.

    By Carolyn Crist • March 14, 2024
  • A student talks with a training instructor to fix an outdoor air conditioner.
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    Dragos Condrea via Getty Images
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    HVAC pre-apprenticeship program aims to improve skilled worker pipeline

    The Pryor High School Innovation Center in Oklahoma is using Interplay Learning’s platform to provide hands-on training that includes repairing and maintaining the school’s HVAC systems.

    By • March 13, 2024
  • Employee v. independent contractor
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    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
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    Independent contractor rule takes effect

    In a statement, the Society for Human Resource Management said the rule “fosters ambiguity” and deters businesses from extending essential training to independent workers.

    By Emilie Shumway • March 11, 2024
  • An employee works from a small desk in an office cafeteria.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Sodexo’s new US workplace experience head talks data, decisions, employee preferences

    “Sodexo has the DNA and the legacy as a food business to legitimately be in the workplace experience business,” said Amy O’Neil.  

    By • Feb. 26, 2024
  • A worker performs diagnostics on an HVAC unit.
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    Sarinya Pinngam via Getty Images
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    Proactive maintenance gaining momentum in facilities management: Limble

    Seventy-two percent of manufacturing and FM professionals Limble surveyed reported implementing proactive maintenance to combat aging infrastructure, with 69% investing in new equipment.

    By • Feb. 21, 2024
  • Johnson Controls logo above a production plant in Hanover, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Multiple lawsuits target Johnson Controls across the US

    The most recent suit, filed in a New York City federal court, alleges that the company is refusing to pay sales representatives commissions they are due.

    By • Feb. 15, 2024
  • Thousands of bargaining committee members, including commercial cleaners and porters, rally in New York City in December 2023, seeking higher wages and improved benefits.
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    Permission granted by 32BJ SEIU
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    Building workers’ union members approve New York City contract with Realty Advisory Board

    More than 99% of bargaining committee members who voted on the package approved the deal, which secures wage hikes, bonuses and improved retirement benefits.

    By • Feb. 13, 2024
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    Permission granted by Wings & Rings
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    Deep Dive

    Return-to-office traffic is fueling a catering boom in 2024

    Office catering is on the rise as employers use food to incentivize employees to come into the workplace, said Alison Quinn, Dinova CEO.

    By Julie Littman • Jan. 29, 2024
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    Frazao Studio Latino via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    How facilities managers will navigate the return-to-office landscape in 2024

    While hard data on occupancy can inform office right-sizing, soft data like employee preferences are becoming key to improving workplace occupancy and tenant satisfaction.

    By • Jan. 29, 2024
  • A person walks toward the door of the U.S. Department of Labor building.
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    Kate Tornone/Facilities Dive
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    DOL’s independent contractor rule faces legal roadblocks ahead of effective date

    At least two lawsuits seek to block implementation of the final rule, which takes effect in less than two months.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 24, 2024
  • Four people stand around a food preparation tables in a large kitchen.
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    Permission granted by Clay County School District
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    Career and technical education faces obstacles to meeting demand

    "The college-for-all mentality has limited student options and created stigma around trades careers,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of a nonprofit that supports skilled trade education in high schools.

    By Kara Arundel • Jan. 22, 2024
  • A worker is seen removing a tree branch with a chainsaw and heavy equipment.
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    YinYang via Getty Images
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    OSHA region launches multiyear safety program for tree, landscaping workers

    The program will involve targeted safety and health inspections to assess employers’ compliance and reduce workers’ exposure to hazards, the U.S. Labor Department says.

    By • Jan. 19, 2024
  • A hospital is framed against a blue sky and green grass. The building is roughly square-shaped with a sandstone-esque exterior.
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    Courtesy of Chad M. Davis, AIA
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    Healthcare facilities managers must adapt to outpatient focus, AI integration: JLL

    Optimizing real estate portfolios and tackling workforce challenges are other priorities, according to the firm’s 2024 healthcare sector outlook.

    By • Jan. 17, 2024
  • A view of blue toned high-rise buildings in New York City's Wall Street financial district.
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    Milenny via Getty Images
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    6 facilities management trends to watch in 2024

    Facilities managers are turning to technology and automation to help address commercial real estate challenges, including decarbonization, office space optimization and skilled labor shortages.

    By , • Jan. 10, 2024
  • A close-up of the creamy exterior of the Department of Labor building.
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    Caroline Colvin/Facilities Dive
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    DOL independent contractor final rule announced, will take effect March 11

    The rule largely tracks the agency’s October 2022 proposed rule, adopting a six-factor, “totality-of-the-circumstances” framework for analyzing worker-employer relationships.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024
  • Facilities managers discuss space in an office.
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Trends that will define facilities management in 2024: 12 predictions

    Net-zero goals, AI-driven automation, predictive maintenance and office right-sizing are some of what industry participants expect in the new year.

    By the Facilities Dive Team • Jan. 2, 2024
  • BJ32 SEIU union members at a Dec. 20 rally on 6th Ave, New York City.
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    Courtesy of BJ32 SEIU
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    NYC building service workers, RAB reach tentative contract agreement, averting strike

    The proposal continues existing healthcare premium coverage, sets a 3% average annual wage increase over four years and creates an early retirement incentive. 

    By • Dec. 28, 2023
  • A view of building workers holding a rally in New York City in a push for better wages, health insurance and job protection
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    Permission granted by 32BJ SEIU
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    NYC building service workers strike threat could affect 1,300 buildings

    The 32BJ affiliate of SEIU is negotiating with the Realty Advisory Board for wage increases, fully employer-paid health insurance and job security in a contract that expires Dec. 31.

    By • Dec. 22, 2023