The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its semiannual agenda listing all regulations expected to be reviewed or developed between April 2010 and April 2011.
There were two items of interest for school employers: First, the final regulations for military leave amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act are scheduled for release in November.
Second is an agenda item related to Fair Labor Standards Act recordkeeping. The DOL has proposed the development of new recordkeeping regulations to enhance transparency and disclosure to workers about how their pay is computed and exemption status determined. Proposed regulations could be available for public comment as soon as August. In the Federal Register dated April 26, the DOL explains, “This proposal intends to update the recordkeeping requirements to foster more openness and transparency in demonstrating employers’ compliance with applicable requirements to their workers, to better ensure compliance by regulated entities, and to assist in enforcement.”
Our final training events of the year filled up fast. Don’t be left out next time! You can register on line now 
for any of our 2010–11 training events. We are also in the process of scheduling training events at Education Service Centers. Check our Web site periodically for HR Services workshops in your area .
The annual summer conference for the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators will be held in Austin on July 22–23. This is the summer event for school HR leaders with lots of fun, friendly people, and lots to learn. You can register on line at TASPA’s Web site.
HR Services will present a new workshop called “Rules of Engagement–Determining Employment Status” at TASB offices in Austin on Sept. 16. Through fun activities and case studies, participants will learn about independent contractors versus employees; different types of contracts and when to use each; which employees are and are not eligible for benefits; which employees are exempt and nonexempt; special employment situations for retirees, interns, and student workers; employees as volunteers; and placing employees on “inactive” status. A sneak preview will be presented in a TASPA conference session in July.
The results of April’s Quick Poll revealed that the vast majority of districts (79 percent) have a process in place to collect feedback from exiting employees. May’s Quick Poll showed that about half (51 percent) of responding districts use mathematical formulas to staff their schools.
We are sad to announce that our beloved assistant director of HR Services, Sally Craycraft, will be leaving us at the end of June. Her husband has accepted a new job in Dallas and they will be relocating to Frisco. Sally has added much value and has been responsible for many improvements during her two years here. She will be missed by all.
