On November 6, 2017, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order to “ban the box” on job applications for state agencies. This brings the state’s hiring policies in line with those of the federal government, which finalized fair chance regulations in 2016, as well as several of its own cities. In 2015, Tucson became Read more
New York employers only have a few more weeks left before the new New York Paid Family Leave becomes effective. Starting January 1, 2018, an employer with employees working in New York for 30 or more days in a calendar year must obtain Paid Family Leave coverage. This includes employers located outside of New York Read more
For nearly twenty-five years, both the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) have required large employers, those with 50 or more employees, to provide their employees with 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to bond with a newborn, newly-adopted child or newly-placed foster child. Small businesses are, Read more
Today we observe Veterans Day, the federal holiday dedicated to honoring veterans of the U.S. armed forces. While it is important to spend this one day a year in recognition of their military service, it is equally important that we spend the other 364 days ensuring that we’re providing veterans with the tools and opportunities Read more
Last Tuesday, October 31, 2017, New York became the first city in the nation to implement a law prohibiting all employers in New York City from inquiring about a prospective employee’s salary history during the employment process. The goal of the legislation is to encourage employers to set compensation based on qualifications and not past Read more
In the latest move towards modernization from the federal government, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has just launched a new nationwide system, the EEOC Public Portal, to allow individuals to submit and track information about potential discrimination claims online. The system underwent a soft launch in five EEOC field offices prior to its Read more
California just wrapped another busy legislative year passing more than a dozen new laws that will affect workers and employers. Today’s blog looks at two of these laws, both of which are aimed at removing barriers to employment – AB 1008 concerning an applicant’s criminal history and AB 168 concerning an applicant’s salary history. Overcoming Read more
The State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has revised, yet again, the Notice to Employees about Applying for Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance. Back in May, the department revised the notice to reflect new procedures when filing an unemployment insurance benefit claim. This month, the released notice includes a new requirement for employers. Employers are required Read more
As we head towards the end of the year, the Department of Labor (DOL) is making some major moves towards fulfilling its regulatory agenda. On October 24, 2017, DOL submitted notice to the Office of Management and Budget that it intends to rescind controversial Obama-era regulations which place limitations on employer use of tips received Read more
Most California businesses don’t need the prospect of stiff Cal/OSHA penalties to maintain safe and healthful workplaces. Most make occupational health and safety an ongoing priority. Still, there are many businesses that deliberately disregard occupational safety and health standards, cut corners, and tolerate unsafe practices putting their employees at risk of serious illness, injury or Read more
