Client Payment Portal

OFLC Publishes Prevailing Wage Data, Implements 2018 SOC Codes

Jul 11, 2022 | Human Resources Services

On July 1, 2022, the Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced:

  • Published the latest prevailing wage data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) as generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for July 2022 through June 2023. Prevailing wage determinations issued from the National Prevailing Wage Center reflect the new data effective July 1.
  • Implemented the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes at the same time. OFLC said it is using 2018 SOC codes because the OEWS and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) have completed the transition from 2010 SOC codes to 2018 SOC codes. An OFLC announcement includes details on how new labor certification applications, and applications in process, will be handled with respect to SOC codes.
  • Updated Appendix A to the Preamble–Education and Training Categories by O*NET–SOC Occupations. Appendix A is a list of professional occupations “that serves as a guide for employers to distinguish between professional and non-professional occupations in order to comply with the professional recruitment requirements of the PERM program,” OFLC said.
  • Published updated prevailing wage data for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

Details:

Related Posts:

I-9 Form Update: COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Temporary Policies, Employer Tips

The E-Verify program has issued a potentially confusing array of temporary policies related to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over a period of several years. Below is a summary of selected changes and employer tips related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Physical Document Inspection Flexibilities Extended The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the flexibility policy in complying with certain physical inspection requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification to April 30, 2022. A further extension is always a possibility, depending on pandemic-related developments. The flexibility policy previously was set to expire on December 31, 2021, but ongoing safety concerns and related uncertainties led to the extension. What does an employer have to do if utilizing the physical inspection flexibility? According to DHS guidance, employers must still complete Section 2 within three business days of hire. However, now that includes inspecting the I-9 Section 2 documents remotely (e.g., via video link, fax, or email) and obtaining and retaining copies of the documents within three business days of hire. Employers are instructed to enter “COVID-19” as the reason for the physical inspection delay in the Section 2 Additional Information field once physical inspection takes place after […]

Read More

Life Sciences Boom Calls for HR Recruiting Pivot

As businesses begin to reorient after a year of unexpected changes, hiring pauses, and remote work, HR professionals are reimagining the workplace in a post-pandemic world, creating structured workforces that are agile, inclusive, and focused on future growth.   The signs of growth are clear. Venture capital funding has reached record highs throughout the U.S. and especially in Life Sciences. In New York City alone, the sector has been growing at its fastest pace since 2000: it expanded 3.2% year-over-year, and the first quarter of 2021 saw the highest quarterly total of venture capital funding for Life Sciences, according to CBRE’s report.   This type of growth in Life Sciences today and through the coming years indicates that the fierce competition to acquire and retain the best talent will continue, both here in the U.S. and globally. As Life Sciences companies keep this momentum, they will need to move from reactive transitioning necessitated by the pandemic to a more focused transformation. HR is at the center of navigating this turbulent environment to create a strong team to provide stability within an organization.  What will this uncharted area and expanded funding mean for its recruiting efforts?  Trends point to an increased […]

Read More