Kansas lawmakers continue to consider changes to the employment security ("unemployment") statutes. This week the House passed Substitute House Bill 2105 on a vote of 88-35. The bill would amend Kansas unemployment law in several ways:

• Revises the definition of “part-time employment,” “good cause,” and “misconduct,” and includes further restrictions for alcohol and drug abuse on the job;
• Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to hire special investigators relating to UI fraud, tax evasion, and identity theft;
• Increases  the taxable wage base for contributions made by employers from $8,000 to $16,000 starting Jan. 1, 2015;
• Reduces the contribution rate for certain employers when the UI (unemployment insurance) Trust Fund reaches an acceptable level;
• Revises the surcharge rate for the 20 negative balance employer groups and requires the Secretary of Labor to notify employers by November 30 of their UI contribution rate for the coming year; and
• Abolishes the State Employment Security Advisory Council.

After passing the House, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce. 

The 2013 Kansas legislative session is now in full swing. Lawmakers have introduced several employment-related bills.

House Bill 2022 -- Expands the number and types of deductions that employers may withhold from an employee's wages, contingent on a written agreement between the parties. Also expands an employer's ability to withhold wages when an employee leaves. However, such withholding cannot reduce the employee's wages below the federal or state minimum wage law.

Senate Bill 53 / House Bill 2092 -- Specifies what social media information an employer can and cannot ask an applicant or employee to divulge.

Senate Bill 48 -- Requires that, starting January 1, 2014, all governmental units and contractors involved in a public contract of $50,000 must use e-verify for verification of employment status of all employees whose employment begin on or after January 1, 2014. Grants the Secretary of Labor authority to establish rules and regulations and impose restrictions on violations of the act.

House Bill 2105 -- Incorporates numerous amendments to the employment security law, such as revising the circumstances when an individual can be disqualified for benefits; redefining "gross misconduct" involving the use of alcohol or controlled substances; and imposing penalties for unlawfully receiving benefits.

Kansas Employment Law Blog will keep you up to date on the progress of these bills and other significant legislative developments.

You’ve heard stories about bad bosses. And you’ve heard stories about workplace wagers.  But have you heard the one about the boss who held a contest in which all employees were asked to predict which of them would be the next one fired, with a cash prize awarded to the winner?

The boss, who owns a convenience store chain, outlined the rules of the game in a memo sent to all employees. It said: