Effective July 1, 2013, Hawaii Employment Practices Law was amended to require an employer allow an employee reasonable break time to express breast milk for one year after her child’s birth each time the employee has a need. Under the law, employers must also provide the employee with a location, other than a restroom, shielded Read more
Many employers perform background checks on prospective employees as part of the hiring process. Employers view criminal background and credit checks in particular as important screening tools for hiring qualified workers. Although there is no federal law prohibiting the use of criminal or credit history by an employer, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has Read more
Recently the US DOL announced a Final Rule that will improve job opportunities for protected veterans. The Final Rule makes changes to the regulations implementing the Vietnam Veterans’ Readjustment Act (VEVRAA). The Act prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against protected veterans in employment and requires contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to Read more
As you may already know – many provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) are intended to expand access to affordable health care coverage nationwide. These include provisions for coverage to be offered through a Health Insurance Marketplace, assistance for purchasing coverage through premium tax credits, employer notice requirements which Read more
This summer, Oregon passed a new law (HB 2669) that entitles unpaid interns to many of the same workplace protections as their employee counterparts. Under the law interns are protected from sexual harassment; discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status or age; and retaliation for whistle-blowing, among other things. Read more
During Minnesota’s 2013 legislative session, Governor Dayton signed a bill expanding use of personal sick leave benefits to include care of relatives. An employee may use personal sick leave benefits as provided by the covered employer for absences due to an illness or injury to the employee’s child, as defined in Statutes Section 181.940 Subdivision Read more
Illinois is cracking down on employers in the construction industry that misclassify workers. Employee misclassification laws are aimed at employers that misclassify workers as independent contractors in an attempt to avoid paying payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation premiums and overtime payments. Two new Illinois laws expand employer liability and increase reporting requirements. The Read more
Rhode Island’s governor recently signed the Temporary Caregiver Insurance Program (TCI) into law. This makes Rhode Island the third state to adopt paid family leave insurance, behind California and New Jersey. TCI, which is effective January 1, 2014, expands the state temporary disability insurance program to provide wage replacement benefits to workers who take time Read more
In order to counter a $2 billion campaign in advertisements and promotions for alcoholic beverages, health and public safety advocates have tried to promote balanced information about these substances. These efforts include a successful campaign that called for container warnings, as well as proposals for health and safety messages in advertisements. States like Florida require Read more
Move over Connecticut, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle and Portland Oregon…New York City passes controversial Earned Sick Time Act. The intent behind the NYC Paid Sick Leave legislation encompasses workers needs for time off from work to take care of their health needs or the health needs of family members. Therefore, paid sick leave encourages Read more
