What’s New for 2025? Key Workplace Considerations for Your Year-End To-Do List

It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost here. The new year will bring many changes to workplace safety and labor laws. While some of the changes will be minor, a few will be very significant. Employers will need to address these changes in preparation for the 2025 boating season.

OSHA to Introduce a Heat Safety Rule
Federal OSHA is set to formally publish a Heat Safety Rule in late 2024. While this ruling will apply to states operating under the Federal OSHA plan, several state OSHA plans already have a heat safety rule or are in the process of adopting a variation. Since state-level OSHA plans must be ‘as least effective as’ the federal plan, all states will likely be impacted by this new rule.

The new Heat Safety Plan is no small task. The rule requires employers to designate a heat safety coordinator, conduct regular heat risk assessments and continuously monitor workplace temperatures during high-temperature periods. The rule will require formal preventive measures such as hydration breaks to allow for rest/cooling and provisions for shade or air conditioning.

Key elements of a safety program include a written program and employee training. The new Heat Safety Rule will have those requirements as well. Employers will need to not only educate employees on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness but also provide a plan to acclimatize workers to the environment. A written Heat-Related Illness Prevention Plan will be required of employers with 10 or more employees. In addition, a Heat Emergency Response Plan will need to be developed to define the procedures to effectively respond to a heat-related emergency.

DOL’s New Overtime Rule
Effective January 1, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) will increase the salary threshold for so-called ‘white-collar exemptions’ to $1,128 a week or $58,656 per year. Do you have exempt employees who earn less than the new threshold? If so, you will need to decide to convert them to non-exempt status to make the employee eligible for overtime or increase the salary. The new overtime rule is a complicated issue that not only creates legal concerns but could also have an impact on employee morale. Many employees associate a level of prestige that comes with being an exempt employee. With the new overtime rule, it is best to work with a labor and employment attorney to ensure employees are properly classified.

New State Laws
At the state level, 2025 will bring a host of changes as well. Several states are enacting legislation designed to reduce the potential for discrimination, workplace violence and pay equity. Several states introducing pay equity programs are including reporting requirements. States are bolstering legislation to increase minimum wage and paid family and medical leave.

Conclusion
The new laws expected in 2025 will take some time and effort to ensure compliance. Some of the laws are complicated, while others are straightforward. As a best practice, work with your safety professional and legal counsel to ensure compliance.