Three New Mexico communities are increasing their minimum wage rates. Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Bernalillo each tie the minimum wage rate in their jurisdictions to increases in the cost of living from the previous year, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Albuquerque Albuquerque’s Minimum Wage rate increased to $8.75 per hour effective January 1, Read more
In Gibbs v. City of New York, the New York Federal Court has found that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to pay their employees for attending mandatory alcohol counseling and treatment sessions to keep their jobs. The case involved two New York Police Department employees that sued the police department Read more
Today the U.S. Department of Labor issued a Final Rule extending the Family and Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) protections to married same-sex couples regardless of whether the state they live in recognizes their union. This rule will ensure that spouses in same-sex marriages have the same ability as all spouses to fully exercise their FMLA Read more
Like several cities across the country, Philadelphia is the latest city to pass a paid sick leave bill. Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter signed into law, the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Ordinance on February 12, 2015. The bill becomes effective May 13, 2015. Under the Ordinance, employees employed by an employer who work within the Read more
Cal/OSHA regulations for workplace violence prevention in hospital and healthcare settings have been anticipated since the 2014 passage of CA SB 1299. That bill requires Cal/OSHA to adopt standards by January 1, 2016 that require hospitals to establish workplace violence prevention plans. Cal/OSHA’s recently released draft regulation goes beyond requiring workplace violence prevention plans in Read more
Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor has recently revised its workers’ compensation notice posting. By law, all Pennsylvania employers are required to post this notice (LIBC-500) in a prominent and easily accessible location in the workplace. The posting includes the name, address and telephone number of the insurer or other appropriate party to contact regarding workers’ compensation Read more
Two recent California court decisions have interpreted features of California law that affect how employees spend their break time and what their employers can expect. Specifically, the decisions concern employee reprieve from work and availability during meal and rest periods. Applicable Law In California, employee meal and rest periods are prescribed by statute and Industrial Read more
Kentuckians earning minimum wage may see an increase in their pay starting this July, if Bill H2 is passed. The current minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour and may increase to $8.20 per hour beginning July 1st, if bill is approved. The bill would also increase the rate to $9.15 per hour on July Read more
Virginia employers may soon face stricter injury reporting rules. A proposed workplace safety bill aligning Virginia reporting requirements in cases of severe work-related injuries and fatalities with federal occupational safety and health reporting requirements is moving forward in the state legislature. By comparison, the state measure will hold employers to more strident reporting standards than Read more
The state of Minnesota has introduced a bill that if passed, will provide employees with a pregnancy, parenting and caregiver leave with some level of compensation. Under Bill H 580, an employer with one or more employees will be required to provide a 12-week pregnancy, parenting and caregiver leave. Employees will be eligible for leave Read more
