Kathy White, Esq.

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Last January 1, Illinois’ Pregnancy Accommodation Act, also known as the “Pregnancy Fairness Act”, went into effect protecting pregnant workers from employment discrimination and requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees, and job applicants, for conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. New administrative rules implementing Read more

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For the first time since 2012, British Columbia, Canada, will raise its general minimum wage rate from $10.25 per hour to $10.45 per hour effective September 15, 2015. The Liquor server minimum wage rate, currently $9.00 per hour, will also increase on September 15 to $9.20 per hour. The September minimum wage rates are included Read more

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The White House is considering an Executive Order (“EO”) that would require federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to their employees. The tentative “Executive Order Establishing Paid Sick Leave For Contractors,” if issued, would mandate that federal contractors provide their employees up to 56 hours (the equivalent of 7 days) of paid sick leave Read more

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The federal Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) has released a new outreach and education poster, “Opening Doors to Opportunity for All Workers,” which highlights the obligation of employers to treat workers fairly and without discrimination, including paying workers fairly, and the OFCCP’s role in enforcing that agenda. The poster was developed from feedback Read more

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In this age digital communication, employers often wonder whether they can avoid physical posting of mandatory labor law notices in the workplace by posting the notices electronically on a company website. Almost always, the answer is no. Electronic posting cannot be used as a substitute for physical posting. Is physical posting required by law? The Read more

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Tipped Employee Minimum Wage Two amendments to the Montgomery County, MD County Code went into this summer changing employers’ payment of wages responsibilities. The mandatory Minimum Wage workplace notice to employees has just been revised to reflect these changes. First, Bill 24-15 establishes $4.00 per hour as the minimum amount an employer must pay a Read more

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The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects employees from discrimination on the basis of an employee’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status. Further, the law prohibits retaliation against Read more

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The topic of gender identity has been the subject of both media and legislative attention recently. In the workplace, discrimination is a major contributor to the especially high rates of unemployment and underemployment faced by transgender people. These workers are often fired, paid less or harassed because of who they are. So it is not Read more

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The Virginia Employment Commission is promoting the use of its online services for unemployment insurance claims and moving away from the use of in-person services. Specifically, the department has released an updated Unemployment Insurance Notice to Workers. The new posting includes an updated web address for filing a claim for benefits online.  The posting also Read more

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Oregon is the fourth state to pass a statewide law (SB 454) requiring all employers to implement sick leave policies that give employees one week sick leave per year. The law applies to all state and private sector full-time, part-time, seasonal or temporary employees.   Sick Time Accrual & Benefit Employees generally must accrue sick Read more