Investment in equipment and software is projected to expand 1.1 percent in 2020, while U.S. economic growth slows to 1.7 percent according to the 2020 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook released recently by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. After decelerating over the course of 2019, the U.S. economy is poised to soften further in 2020.

A stock market at record highs and unemployment levels at record lows is a wonderful combination; however, every leader knows this also creates some significant challenges.

The media has focused attention on high-profile builders who successfully use tax planning strategies to reduce taxable income. Some builders are able to reduce or completely eliminate the need to pay federal income tax. While it may be legal and within the letter of the tax law, the public frowns on profitable builders who do not pay their fair share of income tax.

Construction employment increased by 20,000 jobs in December and by 151,000, or 2.0 percent, in all of 2019, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that its recent survey found three out of four contractors expect to keep adding workers in 2020, but even more respondents found it difficult to fill positions in 2019, and a majority anticipate it will be as hard or harder to do so in 2020.

Change can be scary but it’s a necessary part of moving forward for any business. Maintaining the status quo presents as much and perhaps more risk as the business falls further and further behind the competition.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released a final rule updating the regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the FLSA, an employee may have, in addition to his or her employer, one or more joint employers — additional individuals or entities that are jointly and severally liable with the employer for the employee’s wages. The FLSA requires covered employers to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage for every hour worked and overtime for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek. In 2017, the DOL withdrew the Obama administration’s sub-regulatory guidance regarding joint employer status that did not go through the rulemaking process that includes public notice and comment. In April 2019, the Trump administration then proposed its own revisions.

The House Education and Labor Committee approved an amended version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694) in a markup Jan. 14. Legislators approved the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, put forth by committee Chair Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), by voice vote. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote.

Training is the foundation of safety in construction and other industries where workers use high-powered machinery, handle potentially hazardous materials and work in dangerous environments, such as underground or high above the street. Luckily, most construction companies today are diligent in providing their employees with the training and certifications they need.

Join us in Las Vegas, March 23-26, 2020 for the 2020 CISCA Convention and INTEX. Registration is now open and there is a special CISCA rate for lodging. For additional questions, call CISCA at 630-584-1919 or email cisca@cisca.org.

The Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA) invites applications for their Construction Excellence Awards competition. Award winners will be recognized at the dinner on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 during the CISCA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The awards ceremony features a multi-media presentation of all submissions and winning projects. Winners will be featured in the Acoustical Interior Construction magazine and on the CISCA website.

CISCA is the global premier authority for the interior construction, acoustical ceilings and acoustical treatment industry. Market your products/services to the multi-billion dollar interior systems industry today.

AD, the member-owned contractor and industrial products wholesale buying and marketing group, announced recently that Justin Dunscomb will be promoted to president of the Plumbing and Pipe, Valves and Fittings-U.S. Divisions within the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Pipe, or PHCP, Business Unit.

The need to keep personal and business conversations private from those in adjacent spaces is more important than ever. To help ensure the highest level of confidentiality, especially in spaces with partial height, demountable, or full-height walls with unsealed penetrations, Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions has introduced Calla® PrivAssure™ ceiling panels.

Training is a key to preventing injuries and avoiding OSHA citations. Here are three reasons why: 

 

(1) Regular and effective training results in fewer injuries. Fewer injuries results in lower insurance premiums.

(2) If OSHA comes calling, documentation of regular training is a key to avoiding citations. Avoiding citations saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties and losing potential work.

(3) Effective training contributes to a positive safety culture. A reputation for a positive safety culture gets your company work. 

 

See how our online training platform can be your solution. Contact us for a free demo. Email us or call 800-691-2551. Watch a sample of our video training.