Officium, LLC

Recruiting for a Diverse Future

Establishing a diverse workforce isn’t only an ethical choice, but a good business decision, as research has consistently shown that diverse teams regularly outperform homogeneous workforces when it comes to problem-solving and decision-making. While there are many perks to cultivating a diverse team, one main finding is that diversity of thought fosters creativity and innovation, …

The Rise of Clean Slate Laws in the U.S.

A glimmer of hope is emerging for individuals with backgrounds through the introduction of clean slate laws. With nearly 100 million individuals in the U.S. living with various forms of records, predominantly stemming from minor infractions like arrests and nonviolent misdemeanors, the need for reform is long overdue.  The two laws that are leading the …

Navigating the Political Minefield: Can Your Job Survive Your Beliefs?

In the age of social media activism, it’s easy to forget that publicizing our political beliefs can have serious consequences, particularly in the workplace.  Technically, there’s no federal law protecting employees from political discrimination. In fact, in most states, you can legally be terminated if your employer doesn’t agree with your political beliefs.  When it …

Benefits and Introduction of Hybrid Work Models

Post-pandemic, 74% of U.S. companies have opted to incorporate hybrid workplace models. This modern landscape isn’t one-size-fits-all, and is instead, company-specific and promotes a human-centric approach that’s focused on flexibility, collaboration, autonomy and empathetic leadership. Studies show that hybrid schedules also address the shortcomings of remote work experienced during the pandemic such as trouble managing …

Virginia’s Non-Compete Wage Cap Increase in 2024

On January 16th, Virginia implemented significant changes to non-compete agreements, particularly for low-wage earners. Under this law, these agreements cannot be enforced for employees earning below the updated annual salary threshold of $73,320, or an average weekly wage of $1,410. In light of this change, employers are urged to review their post-employment agreements and non-compete …

Minimum Wage & Poster Changes Introduced in 2024

Each year, businesses’ are impacted by new employment regulations, and one such regulation being introduced in 2024 is the minimum wage increase in several cities, counties and states across the U.S.  While many of you compensate employees above the minimum wage, you still need to be aware of the changes. We recommend you do the …

Understanding Maryland’s Updated Non-Compete Agreement Laws

In a significant development for employers in Maryland, Senate Bill 591 has introduced modifications to the salary threshold that determines the permissibility of non-compete provisions in employment contracts. As of January 1, 2024, Maryland employers are now prohibited from requiring employees earning $46,800 or less annually to enter into non-compete agreements. This represents a substantial …