Saint Louis
Job News & Opportunities
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Employers and Employees Prepare for Revisions to Americans with Disabilities Act
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), December 21, 2008 - New rules affecting the ability of employees to take time off to care for sick relatives and the rights of workers with disabilities to obtain workplace accommodations will take effect in January, and employers need to make sure they're prepared for these changes in two landmark employment laws.
Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) take effect on January 1 and revisions to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) become effective on January 16.
The ADA amendments enacted earlier this year by Congress are meant to restore rights granted in the original 1990 law that had eroded as a result of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and federal regulations.
"We anticipate that as of January 1, employers will start seeing more requests for workplace accommodations as a result of these changes, which broaden the scope of disabilities currently covered by federal law," says partner Sally J. Scott of Franczek Radelet & Rose (FRR). Scott says the changes to the 18-year-old ADA mean that many employees currently not covered by the law may now be considered to have a disability.
For example, the use of hearing aids, medication, prosthetics or other forms of treatment designed to mitigate the effects of disabilities may not be used to deny protection under the law - undoing a 1999 Supreme Court decision that restricted the number of individuals potentially protected by the law. Another change mandates that an impairment qualifies as a disability if - when active - it limits one major life activity, such as hearing, seeing, eating, walking or communicating.
"The changes to the ADA send a clear message from Congress that prior court decisions have been too restrictive in defining who is covered under the Act," said Scott.
"However, the amendments give very little guidance as to exactly what standards employers and courts should apply in the future when determining whether an employee has a 'disability' that entitles the employee to protection under the Act. This uncertainty is likely to result in increased litigation," said Scott.
For further information, please visit franczek.com. The firm's Web site provides regular updates on legal and policy developments in its "Front & Center" feature, which is updated weekly or as warranted.
America's Career Coach Tells How to Find a Job in Today's Market
ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire-USNewswire), December 21, 2008 - Many Americans are on edge this holiday season. Over 10 million are out of work and U.S. unemployment hit a 25-year high. Barack Obama, the president-elect, said the economy "will get worse, before it gets better."
"If you're worried about your job or looking for a new one, you're not alone," says Mike Ramer, America's Career Coach and president of Ramer Search Consultants. "The challenge for professionals today is finding a job to advance their career."
After 20 years in executive search, Ramer developed and launched a job search consulting service for the career-minded. His "Seven Strategies" include:
1) Assess your situation. If you're employed, what's the chance you'll lose your job? Talk to your manager, be upfront and express your concern. If there's a high probability you could lose your job, start planning now.
2) Evaluate your strengths. Write down what you do best. List your top skills and abilities. Think about ways you can add value for a future employer. Get feedback by asking a trusted friend or co-worker.
3) Discover your passions. In your current job, what do you enjoy most? When you're not working, how do you spend your time? What are your hobbies? What topics engage you in conversation? Again, write it down.
4) Craft your resume. Customize it with your unique background, skills and experiences. Quantify your accomplishments. Your resume is a reflection of you, so make it stand out. Be professional, yet personal.
5) Research the possibilities. Use the web and talk to others. Your ideal job is the intersection of what you do best (skills/abilities) and what you want to do (passions). This should fit your parameters (location, compensation, lifestyle, etc.)
6) Get the word out. Now go after the job you want. Build a contact list to include names, titles, websites, phone numbers and emails. When making contacts and networking, be memorable and aim to arrange meetings.
7) Stick to the plan. Stay focused and upbeat. Create activity everyday. Depending on your industry and experience, a job search could take three to twelve months. It's always smart to have a contingency plan.
For help with your job search, consult with a career coach or job search professional. In today's times, keep positive and remember this: "If you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life."
Archived Stories:
 2009 Career Guide Released Online to Help with Job Success During Recession
Aerospace Industry Shows Financial Strength in Harsh Financial Atmosphere
Contradicting November Job Losses, Texas Energy Broker Live Energy is Hiring
St. Louis CIOs Report on First-Quarter Hiring Outlook
Wal-Mart Launches Green Jobs Council
Women Confident in the Face of Economic Gloom
ABC Adding 2,000 New Jobs Despite Economic Slowdown
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