Stay Abreast of Workplace Policy Changes and Trends

Department of Homeland Security Increases Immigration Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security recently put more than 1,000 companies on notice of pending audits for potentially hiring illegal immigrants. The announcement is part of the agency's push to crack down on hiring undocumented workers. At the same time, the department is stepping up its efforts to encourage and reward employers for regularly checking the status of potential workers. Its E-Verify system allows employers to easily compare information provided by a job candidate with name, Social Security, passport and other information collected by the government. Learn more atwww.dhs.gov

Occupational Injuries and Fatalities Fall

According to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics findings, the number of occupational injuries fell in 2008. Nonfatal work-related injuries declined to 3.7 million in 2008, dropping by roughly 8 percent from 2007 data. Additionally, occupational fatalities dropped by 9 percent, to 5,071, the lowest since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program began in 1992.

House Bill Focuses on Reducing Medicare Costs

Titled the Preventive Health Savings Act of 2009 (HR 3148), new legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives calls for the Congressional Budget Office to examine the Medicare savings possible through increased focus on the prevention of diseases. The bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and U.S. Delegate Donna Christensen (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) and had 42 co-sponsors.