Compliance Stuff

  The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) announced revised  proposed rulemaking   for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. This comes on the heels of the first draft of   proposed rules   issued on May 20, 2024. Public comment is open through Sept. 30, 2024. Comments can be submitted  here . Maine DOL’s rulemaking follows the  Maine Legislature’s passage of the new law in 2023 . Employees can begin receiving paid leave benefits effective on May 1, 2026, and employer contributions to the plan funding those benefits begins on Jan. 1, 2025. The proposed rules provide greater detail as to how the DOL plans to implement and enforce the new program. Although they are substantially similar to the initial proposal, the revised rules contain a number of relatively minor changes and reorganizations and seven significant changes: Bona fide volunteers will be excluded from the program’s coverag e. Federal employees will be excluded from coverage. Previous...

  In corporate compliance, some very basic compliance lessons are destined to be repeated. This was clear from the recently announced   Securities and Exchange Commission   (SEC) Foreign Corruption Practices Act enforcement action involving Deere (John Deere herein). The $9.9 million settlement between John Deere and the SEC involved FCPA violations at its Wirtgen Group subsidiary. It offers a stark reminder that even the most established companies can stumble over basic compliance principles . For those in the compliance community, this case highlights the importance of robust integration post-acquisition and serves as a throwback to classic FCPA pitfalls that should have been avoided. The John Deere Case: A Synopsis According to the  SEC Press Release  announcing the resolution, “From at least late 2017 through 2020, Wirtgen Thailand employees bribed Thai government officials with the Royal Thai Air Force, the Department of Highways, and the Department of Rura...

  As AI becomes an integral part of modern business, it’s critical for companies to establish a strategic AI policy and framework that not only addresses current challenges but also positions them for future growth and opportunities . AI is rapidly reshaping industries, and having a clear plan in place ensures your organization is not just keeping pace but staying ahead. Why is this important for your company’s future? Here are some things to consider: Anticipating Legal and Regulatory Changes.  AI laws and regulations are evolving quickly, and staying compliant means being proactive, not reactive. A forward-thinking AI policy helps your organization anticipate and adapt to new laws and standards, ensuring you’re ready for future changes and minimizing disruptions to your operations. Driving Ethical and Responsible Innovation.  In the eyes of consumers and stakeholders, trust is everything . An AI framework that prioritizes ethics and accountability ensures your innovat...

  Seeks to reduce risks of discrimination, yield benefits for disabled job seekers WASHINGTON  – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the publication of the  AI & Inclusive Hiring Framework  a new tool designed to support the inclusive use of artificial intelligence in employers’ hiring technology and increase benefits to disabled job seekers.  Published by the  Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology  the framework will help employers r educe the risks of creating unintentional forms of discrimination and barriers to accessibility as they implement AI hiring technology . Funded by the department’s  Office of Disability Employment Policy , the initiative will also help workers and job seekers navigate the potential benefits and challenges they may face when encountering AI-enabled technologies. PEAT’s framework is based on the  National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework and includes...

The AI+HI Podcast Artificial intelligence is reshaping business and HR at breakneck speed—but are we ready for the ethical storm ahead? From chatbots that combat conspiracy theories to systems that can deceive humans, the line between innovation and risk blurs daily. In this week’s issue, a machine learning pioneer recommends treating AI tools like “child prodigies” needing guidance, tech giants race to enhance AI decision-making, and an Emmy-winning journalist warns of present dangers with AI and hiring. Watch or Listen to the Latest Episode: Transcript to Podcast This week, Yeah. We're exploring the need for ethics, transparency, and accountability when using AI for recruitment, as well as for performance management. This is particularly relevant for us as we've seen great investments across the board in a variety of different startups, different technologies focused primarily on these two areas, especially in the space of HR. Our guest this week is Hilke Schellmann, author o...