The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued one new employment law resource that can be read and accessed below.

Advancing the Inclusive Spirit: A Focus on Small Business

Small businesses are the heart of America’s communities and the backbone of this nation’s economy.  They are significant drivers of job creation, accounting for nearly half of private-sector employment—with some industries, such as retail and hospitality, taking on additional staff during the holidays.  Whether during the festive season or any time of year, small businesses can reap big benefits through disability inclusion.  Businesses that hire workers with disabilities enjoy an expanded market reach, reduced turnover, and insight into a large customer base.  To help all small businesses effectively recruit and retain disabled employees, the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers a number of tools developed specifically for these employers.  A good place to start, EARN’s Small Business Toolkit provides guidance on creating an inclusive workplace and supporting disabled workers across the employment lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to long-term retention and advancement.  The toolkit also addresses specific topics such as tax credits and financial support, digital accessibility, employee benefits, special considerations for federal contractors and subcontractors, relevant laws and regulations, workplace mental health, and more.  As part of our focus on small business, EARN also hosted a series of Webinars in 2024 addressing specific topics in a small business context, including:

• How small businesses can improve job success for disabled employees through low- or no-cost, high-impact accommodations;
• Financial incentives offered by the Federal Government as well as state and local government programs to help small businesses hire and retain workers with disabilities; and
• Community partnerships with state vocational rehabilitation agencies as a strategy for building a pipeline of disabled talent.

These archived EARN webinars are available to all small businesses seeking practical strategies for advancing disability hiring—and entering 2025 with a more inclusive spirit.