Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between December 2018 and December 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states from November to December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released recently. Association officials added that most contractors expect to continue adding to their payrolls in 2020, according to the results of the association’s annual construction forecast.

OSHA is reminding employers covered under the Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses final rule that they must post their 2019 300A forms in their workplaces from Feb. 1 to April 30.

Immigration is a hot-button issue in today’s news, but one sector of immigration compliance that is rarely ever mentioned is immigration workplace compliance. This omission is puzzling, as the recent years have brought record-high federal immigration enforcement efforts against U.S. companies. While all employers should remain vigilant in their employment verification compliance practices, companies in heavily targeted industries, including the construction industry, should be particularly vigilant in ensuring proper employment immigration compliance.

Federal agencies are required to adjust penalty amounts for inflation each year based on the Consumer Price Index.

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.

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.

Scott Pfeiffer, FASA, Partner of Threshold Acoustics and board member of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants, is an esteemed acoustician who has been honored as a Fellow in the Acoustical Society of America for his accomplishments in the design of worship and performing arts spaces as well as his leadership in pursuing great unanswered questions in the field. Scott believes great sound is achieved through collaboration and helps clients and designers achieve excellence by guiding a highly informed process of discovery and evaluation. In this video, Scott explains how acoustics can be controlled to balance function and aesthetic appeal to create architecture that provides comfort and wellbeing. Learn more about the benefits of considering acoustics in architecture.

Hilti Inc., a commercial construction-focused technology, software and services company, has launched a suite of 40 new tools, systems and accessories. Hilti’s latest innovations affirm the brand’s commitment to providing productivity solutions to commercial construction with the release of their first cordless metal working tools. Simultaneously, Hilti is continuing to grow its leadership stake in both fastening and firestop systems solutions. The new line-up also includes the market’s most powerful cordless cutting tools, a battery-powered cordless fastening tool, BX 3-BT intended to help customers complete high quality installations safely and on time; and, the first preformed firestop solution designed specifically for metal deck construction, Top Track Seal CFS-TTS MD. The launch comes on the heels of introducing the world’s first cordless breaker, the TE 500-A36, in December.

After six years as president of AD’s Electrical Business Unit and chief marketing officer, Ed Crawford has elected to retire effective April 24, 2020, following Electrical’s spring network meeting. Seizing Crawford’s retirement as an opportunity to make organizational improvements aimed at delivering legendary service to members, AD will be forming an Electrical and Industrial Business Unit and promoting Jack Templin to lead the new unit. Crawford came out of retirement in 2014 after 27 years as an executive at Philips Lighting to lead the business unit on which AD was founded. Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg expressed appreciation for Crawford’s contributions to the AD community.

The hiring process doesn’t end when the paperwork is signed. Engage your new hires from the start through an effective onboarding process, and you’ll increase retention and loyalty by a wide margin. With these modern techniques, you get employees started on the right track, right away.