In April 2016, California enacted legislation (CA SB 3) raising the state’s minimum wage rate each year for the next five years. Consistent with this enactment, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) amended the General Minimum Wage Order and each of the industry and occupation orders (IWCs) to reflect the minimum wage rates established under Read more
Earlier this month, we reported on Governor Paul LePage’s request for the Maine legislature to amend Question 4, the citizen-initiated referendum that scheduled a gradual increase of the state minimum wage with an eventual endpoint of $12.00 per hour, as well as a gradual elimination of the lower minimum wage for tipped workers. Maine’s minimum Read more
On Monday, Ohio governor John Kasich signed into law Senate Bill 331, which will prohibit local governments from establishing a minimum wage that differs from the state minimum wage and limit the ability of local or state law to curtail an employer’s ability to “establish policies concerning hours and location of work, scheduling, and fringe Read more
On November 16, 2016, the New York City Council passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (Int. 1017-2015) with the purpose of protecting freelance workers. Starting March 15, 2017, employers or hiring parties will be required to provide a written contract when employing a freelance worker for services with a value of $800 or more. The Read more
Last May we first blogged about federal OSHA’s controversial Final Rule to “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.” The Final Rule requires, among other things, employers to specifically inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation. This provision, referred to as the “anti-retaliation” rule, was originally scheduled to Read more
The City of Los Angeles is joining a growing list of cities and states to “ban the box” by removing questions about job applicants’ criminal histories from job applications. The recently adopted “Fair Chance Initiative” (the “Ordinance”) will prohibit Los Angeles employers from inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history or from performing any form of Read more
Back in June we reported on the passage of the Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, which requires employers to provide workers with earned leave for the purpose of seeking assistance with health or safety issues for themselves or a family member. Minneapolis was the first city in the Midwest to pass a sick time Read more
On November 4, 2016, New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Executive Order 21 prohibiting city agencies from inquiring about the salary history of prospective employees. City agencies may ask prospective employees about previous compensation including wage, salary, benefits or other compensation if a conditional offer of employment has been made, and for the Read more
In recent years, local minimum wage and paid sick leave laws have been taking effect all across the country. Illinois is no exception. Last year, the City of Chicago passed a minimum wage ordinance that requires employers to pay non-tipped employees at least $10.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2015. Over the next four years Read more
On November 8, Maine was one of four states which passed ballot initiatives approving a minimum wage increase. In addition to raising the 2017 state minimum wage for non-tipped workers from $7.50 per hour to $9.00, the Maine referendum schedules additional increases of $1.00 per year until the minimum hourly rate reaches $12.00, at which Read more
