Game Changer By Cole Johnson, Future of Work, U.S. Department of Labor Blog

Game Changer: In 2012, the Department of Labor approached Paul Johnson Drywall Inc. to review our employment practices and compensation structures as part of its worker misclassification initiative.  What began …

Department of Labor’s Future of Work Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Robert Cole Johnson, President of Paul Johnson Drywall, Speaking at the Department of Labor’s Future of Work Symposium in Washington, D.C.!

Happy Holidays!

With the holidays upon us and December drawing to a close, it's common to reflect on the past year and plan for the year ahead. During 2015, many of us were blessed to enjoy our market's recovery, and for this we are thankful! As the recovery continues into 2016, we can anticipate the new, healthy challenges that labor shortages and material cost increases will pose to the construction and drywall industry.

At Paul Johnson Drywall (PJD), we're proactively taking steps to foster an environment where our workforce is well-cared for and productive, which is also attracting more workers. In fact, this topic was the theme of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Future of Work Symposium, which I was invited to participate in earlier this month, in Washington, D.C. The symposium brought together the public and private sectors to discuss the evolving workplace and share best practices.

PJD constantly strives to be a better employer, an effort which we feel ultimately makes us a better drywall contractor. During my time in Washington, I was asked to share what PJD has been doing to advance our labor standards and how those actions have affected the company, and I want to share it with you as well.

The primary actions taken include PJD shifting to a W-2, or a direct employment, model. Because of this shift, PJD is paying industry-best wages to our crews and has allowed us to also provide health care to each of our employees and their families. As a result, PJD now has nearly 1,000 employees who are loyal to our firm, and committed to delivering for our customers.

While we remain aware of the growing labor shortage, I am proud to say that PJD is able to meet our customer’s needs as a result of our industry-best employment practices. Our loyal crews position us very well for the year to come, and we are proud to be able to produce for our customers, irrespective of industry shortages.

As I prepare to celebrate the holidays with my family, I would like to thank Paul Johnson Drywall’s loyal employees and customers for all of their support during the past year. I look forward to prospering through 2016, together.

Happy Holidays!

Regards,
R. Cole Johnson
President, Paul Johnson Drywall

Cole Johnson Appointed to Business Advocacy Group for Department of Labor Pilot Program

PHOENIX  (Sept. 25, 2014)— Cole Johnson, president of Paul Johnson Drywall, was asked to serve on the business advocacy group for a new pilot program called the Employee Misclassification Compliance Assistance Program (EMCAP), which is being initiated by the Department of Labor’s Phoenix District Office of the Wage and Hour Division (DOL). Johnson was asked to serve as a representative of the construction industry. Other industries being targeted include hospitality, janitorial, food service and security.

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EMCAP was developed by the DOL, in cooperation with the business advocacy group, which is comprised of business leaders from various industries. The program is intended to address the growing issue of worker misclassification, which the DOL identified as a trend arising from the business practice of utilizing independent contractors and other contingent workers opposed to hiring employees, thus improperly classifying workers.

In order to provide a mechanism for companies that may have erred in their classification of workers that allows them to address the issue without creating the potential for further exposure with DOL, the group established the EMCAP pilot program in Arizona. EMCAP intends to increase compliance, while providing employers with an opportunity to conduct a self-audit. Employer requests to participate in this program will be accepted from October 1 until November 28, 2014.

In May 2014, Paul Johnson Drywall (PJD) president Cole Johnson began initial collaborations with the DOL by implementing its classification initiative. As a result of this effort, PJD reactivated 1,325 workers as W-2 employees and hiring 627 new employees, taking the firm to nearly 2,000 employees.

About Paul Johnson Drywall
Established in 1967, PJD is an Arizona-based drywall contractor, and one of the largest in the Southwestern United States with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott, Arizona. The family-owned business has long-been the drywall contractor of choice for the most prominent home builders in the region, providing high-quality drywall and related services for single-family, multi-family and commercial projects across the region. With safety, efficiency, quality and professionalism as its core values, PJD attracts and maintains the best crews, meets deadlines, and delivers exceptional craftsmanship, which has established the company’s reputation as a leader in the industry. For additional information, visit:

PaulJohnsonDrywall.com
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Paul Johnson Drywall at Blogspot
Paul Johnson Drywall on Facebook
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Robert Cole Johnson on Wordpress
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MEDIA CONTACT: Patty Johnson: 602-402-2965 or PattyJohnson@Connections-marcom.com

Paul Johnson Drywall Incorporated Implements Worker Classification Initiative Developed through Collaboration with Department of Labor

Contractor spearheads construction industry FLSA compliance effort with Department of Labor, reclassifying more than 1900 workers as employees.

PHOENIX  (May 19, 2014)— Paul Johnson Drywall, Incorporated (PJD) announced that the company is implementing a classification initiative by reactivating 1325 workers as W-2 employees and hiring 627 new employees, a first step in the PJD FLSA compliance program that was developed  in conjunction with the Department of Labor (DOL). PJD and the DOL worked together to design and implement the construction industry-focused effort, which addresses classification and overtime issues of traditionally piece-rate trades by providing industry best business practices. PJD is implementing its program with a reclassification of all of its independent contractor (1099) crews and individuals in Arizona to W-2 employees, taking the firm from 28 employees to more than 2,000 employees. 

  

The W-2 classification provides the genesis to capture, monitor and analyze employee piecework in conjunction with hours and overtime pay. In addition to this reclassification action, PJD entered into engagements with nationally recognized third-party human resources and payroll systems providers, SOI and Prime Net, to further ensure the highest-level of compliance standards are met.

The DOL is actively working to update and modernize America’s overtime pay system, an effort highlighted earlier this year by President Obama’s Directive Expanding Overtime Pay.  PJD is a top-paying industry piecework contractor in Arizona, typically exceeding prevailing wage in all categories, and initiated this effort with the DOL to review its policies, and assist with establishing industry best-practices.

“We pride ourselves on having the most professional crews in the state, and welcomed the opportunity to evaluate employment practices with the DOL,” said Cole Johnson, president of PJD.  “Our crews allow us to deliver clients unparalleled on-time delivery in the safest manner, and as a result of these high expectations, we consistently pay our crews the highest wages. We’re excited to be taking our business, as well as our trade and related industry, to the next level,” he added.   

In 2014, PJD expects significant growth over 2013. The reclassification and related program actions position the company to accommodate its expanding business, while simultaneously providing clients with the assurances associated with W-2 employee classification.

About Paul Johnson Drywall
Established in 1967, PJD is an Arizona-based drywall contractor, and one of the largest in the Southwestern United States with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott, Arizona. The family-owned business has long-been the drywall contractor of choice for the most prominent home builders in the region, providing high-quality drywall and related services for single-family, multi-family and commercial projects across the region. With safety, efficiency, quality and professionalism as its core values, PJD attracts and maintains the best crews, meets deadlines, and delivers exceptional craftsmanship, which has established the company’s reputation as a leader in the industry. For additional information, visit:

PaulJohnsonDrywall.com
Paul Johnson Drywall on Twitter
Paul Johnson Drywall on Wordpress
Paul Johnson Drywall on Tumblr
Paul Johnson Drywall at Blogspot
Paul Johnson Drywall on Facebook
Paul Johnson Drywall on Weebly
Robert Cole Johnson on Tumblr
Robert Cole Johnson on Wordpress
Robert Cole Johnson on Weebly
Robert Cole Johnson at Blogspot

MEDIA CONTACT: Patty Johnson: 602-402-2965 or PattyJohnson@Connections-marcom.com