It may feel like there’s never any employer news in Omaha and the whole of Nebraska, but new developments happen often.
Stay on top of the latest employer news for the state and city with this quick summary of what you need to know right now.
Proposed LGBT protection failed to pass in the state Legislature. An attempt to ban discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Nebraska failed.
There is no federal statute protecting LGBT people from workplace discrimination, nor is there a national law to protect transgender people. While there are some protections for federal employees, these don’t extend into the private sector.
The proposed ban would have protected the Nebraska LGBT community from workplace discrimination, just as people are protected from discrimination based on race or gender.
Medicaid expansion gets a delayed release. The voter-approved Medicaid expansion for Nebraska will take longer than originally anticipated. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recently estimated the expansion won’t go into effect until October 2020, almost two years after voters approved it.
Those in charge claim such a change should be slow and methodical. But many lawmakers and voters are upset with the delay. Accompanying computer system upgrades are also a factor.
University of Nebraska is largest employer in the state. A recent study by USA Today analyzed the largest employers in each state. Not surprisingly, University of Nebraska is the largest employer within the state with an estimated 14,000 employees. On a national level, Walmart is the top employer with Amazon second.
Federal employees in the Omaha area are no longer considered “rest of the U.S.” Federal employees are typically paid according to their pay grade with raises based on their locations, which are often lumped into the classification of “rest of the U.S.”
Omaha is among several U.S. cities to now have their own designation, which dictates their percentage applied to annual raises. The Omaha rate is only slightly higher than it would have been had it stayed with the “rest of the U.S.” But it’s an increase nonetheless.
Best Places to Work in Omaha list released. The results of the survey, done annually, were recently released by the Omaha World-Herald in conjunction with Baird Holm, LLP and sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber. Results are based on employee engagement, as measured by employee feedback.
The top spot for companies with 25 to 200 employees was Object Partners, a software company. The top spot for companies with more than 200 employees was Buildertrend, also a software company.
Expect impressive growth ahead for Omaha’s economic growth. The Times Record predicts economic growth for Omaha, despite challenges brought on by the recent flooding. International challenges like tariffs and overall tension are also listed as challenges, yet the prediction remains. Overall economic growth is predicted for the entire Midwest.
Job growth in Omaha benefits the suburbs. A recent study shows Omaha and Lincoln are experiencing a higher rate of job growth than other areas of the state.
With job growth at impressive highs and unemployment at historical lows, the people who experience the most benefits are residents of some Omaha suburbs – namely, Southwest Douglas County and parts of Sarpy County.
Job growth in rural areas is not nearly as impressive, and a drop in manufacturing jobs was substantial throughout the state.
Omaha – and Nebraska – continue to enjoy low unemployment rates and high job growth numbers. How or if the recent floods impact these numbers won’t be apparent for months.