Paid sick leave laws continue to be a growing trend in the United States. Rhode Island is the latest state to join seven states and Washington, D.C. in requiring paid sick leave. Under the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplace Act, effective July 1, 2018, employers with 18 employees must allow employees to accrue and Read more
Today marks the 25th World Mental Health Day, an international day of awareness created by the World Federation of Mental Health to educate the public on important issues related to mental health. This year’s theme is Mental Health in the Workplace, so we’ve decided to participate by providing information to employers on their obligations under Read more
This term, the US Supreme Court will consider a case that will determine whether government workers who choose not to join a union can refuse to pay the union’s “agency fees.” The case is Janus v. AFSCME. At issue are so-called agency fees – or “fair share” fees – the money unions charge non-union workers Read more
Those who hoped that the new administration would bring “certainty” for employers are probably a bit disappointed right now, as the most recent move from the federal government raises more questions about protections for transgender employees under federal law. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memo which resets federal policy on Read more
In the last few days, several states tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) have officially announced their 2018 minimum wage rates. CPI is a measure of the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by households over time. Each year, these states adjust their minimum wage rates for an increase in the Read more
Last month, Illinois amended its Human Rights Act (IHRA) (775 ILCS 5/) to clarify the protection of employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs in the workplace. Individuals were already protected from discrimination based on religion but the amended statute, known as the “Religious Garb Law” (SB 1697), makes certain protections more explicit. The new law prohibits Read more
Earlier this year, five Canadian provinces increased their minimum wage rates. Now, the other five will follow suit with wage increases to ranging from 15 cents to $1.40. Alberta’s minimum wage workers will see the largest jump as the second in a series of scheduled increases brings the rate towards $15.00 per hour. New Minimum Read more
The US Department of Labor has announced the 2018 minimum wage rate required by Executive Order 13658. The Executive Order (EO) establishes a minimum wage requirement for Federal contractors and subcontractors. Each year, the U.S. Secretary of Labor determines the EO minimum wage rate based on the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Next January, Read more
This was a good year for working moms and their families in Washington State. Over the next two years, Washington is ushering in several new laws that will be particularly beneficial to pregnant workers. Two new leave laws, the Paid Sick Leave law (operative Jan. 1, 2018) and the Paid Family and Medical Leave law Read more
The Connecticut Department of Labor has released a new mandatory workplace poster for employers. During the 2017 legislative session, Governor Dannel Malloy signed H.B. 6668, enhancing existing anti-discrimination protections for pregnant employees. Under the law, which goes into effect October 1, 2017, an employer with more than three employees must provide accommodations for an employee Read more
