During the 2019 legislative session, Governor Janet Mills signed HB 487, extending protections for pregnant and nursing employees in the state of Maine. Under the law, which goes into effect September 19, 2019, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions. Pregnancy-related condition is defined in the new law as “a known limitation of an Read more
The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) has just released two workplace notices that must be posted by all Washington employers – the new Washington Domestic Violence Resources notice and the revised Unemployment Benefits notice. The notices are aimed at making sure that individuals are aware of the resources available to them in the event they Read more
This January, New Jersey will join a growing number of states that prohibit employers from inquiring about workers’ compensation and salary experience. The new law (AB 1094) will prohibit employers from directly asking job applicants about their salary history, searching publicly available records for an applicant’s salary history, or using salary history disclosed during a Read more
After bumpy start, the City of Emeryville, California finally decided on July 23, 2019, the fate of a separate minimum wage rate for certain small businesses that operate within the City. The Emeryville, CA minimum wage rate of $16.30 per hour went into effect on July 1, 2019. However, a lower $15.00 per hour minimum Read more
Attention New Jersey Employers Wage and Hour Abstract: The posting has been updated with the following minimum wage rates and effective dates: Date Most Employers Seasonal & Small Employers (fewer than 6) Agricultural Employers *Cash Wage for Tipped Workers 7/1/19 $10.00 $8.85 $8.85 $2.63 1/1/20 $11.00 $10.30 $10.30 $3.13 1/1/21 $12.00 $11.10 No change $4.13 1/1/22 Read more
Earlier this year, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills into laws that expand New Jersey’s leave laws and amend the wage and hour law. Most amendments are effective now. Covered employers must review the new laws to ensure compliance. Bill A 3975 Under enacted Bill A 3975, New Jersey’s Family Leave Act expands its reach Read more
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes sexual harassment in the workplace illegal. Under the law, employers have an affirmative duty to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment from occurring and to promptly correct harassing conduct. In addition, employers are responsible for taking certain specified measures to ensure a workplace that is free from Read more
During Minnesota’s 2019 legislation session, Governor Walz signed a new law that criminalizes wage theft. The law also requires new notice and recordkeeping requirements. Effective July 1, 2019, Minnesota employers are required to provide a written notice to employees at the start of their employment. The notice must include the following information, which is in Read more
On June 14, 2019, an amendment of New Mexico’s “Ban the Box” law went into effect prohibiting private employers from using job applications that contain questions about an applicant’s criminal arrest or conviction history. This seemingly slight change to the application process is meaningful. Revealing a criminal history on an initial job application often results Read more
With less than two weeks before the effective date of San Antonio’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, the City has agreed to review the Ordinance and possibly delay the implementation date. On July 15, 2019, a business coalition initiated an action in Bexar County to challenge the San Antonio Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, arguing that it Read more
