In 2019, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania each enacted substantial legislation affecting companies that employ individuals in those states. This GT Alert provides a summary of the most significant of these legislative changes and will help employers stay abreast of the changes relevant to their businesses. Please note that the laws described extend protections to … Continue Reading
Several amendments to the Illinois Equal Pay Act will become effective Sept. 29, 2019. The most significant of these amendments is a ban that prohibits inquiry into and the use of a job applicant’s pay history in making hiring and employment decisions. Illinois has now joined with 13 states that have imposed such a ban. This … Continue Reading
On August 12, 2019, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed new legislation amending the New York State Human Rights Law (the “NYSHRL”), changing the State law’s previous adherence to certain fundamental principles of federal law concerning employment harassment generally, including the standard for determining employer liability for “hostile work environment” discrimination claims and the availability … Continue Reading
On June 13, 2019, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed SB 312 into law to require Nevada employers to provide paid leave to workers. Specifically, the bill requires that employees receive 0.01923 hours of paid leave for each hour worked. Under this formula, a worker who works 40 hours per week for 52 weeks will be entitled to … Continue Reading
The Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML) provides eligible workers with paid medical and family leave benefits effective Jan. 1, 2021. See July 2018 GT Alert here. Specifically, individuals will be entitled to up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave per year. The maximum amount of combined family … Continue Reading
On March 18, 2019, landmark legislation was passed that could dramatically impact the resolution of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims. under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”), and “other” statutes – presently undefined. Employers: pay close attention. The bill takes effect immediately and applies “to all contracts and agreements entered into, renewed, modified, or … Continue Reading
There are myriad special rules for employers operating in California, and even more were signed into law last term. 2018 was Jerry Brown’s last year of his second “two-term” round as governor. Both legislatively and judicially, 2018 was a busy year, with the legislature sending more than 1,000 bills to the governor. This GT Alert … Continue Reading
Congress passed the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (the Act) in 2018 to prevent “patient brokering” in treatment for substance abuse disorders. The Act imposes criminal penalties against anyone who knowingly and willfully “solicits or receives any remuneration . . . in return for referring a patient or patronage to a recovery home, clinical treatment … Continue Reading
There have been many significant legislative developments over the past year which have and will affect private employers in New York and New Jersey. Federal, state, and local legislatures have been busy in the employment arena, promulgating rules and regulations affecting a broad range of well-entrenched employment practices. For instance, in New Jersey, pending legislation … Continue Reading
On August 10, 2018, Governor Baker signed into law the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (the Act). The new law brings significant changes to the use and enforcement of noncompetition agreements in Massachusetts. The Act was passed as part of a comprehensive economic development bill and applies to noncompetition agreements entered into on or after October … Continue Reading
On July 18, 2018, Governor Brown signed AB 2282, the Fair Pay Act Bill, into law to clarify Labor Code sections 432.3 and 1197.5 (also known as the California Equal Pay Act), which collectively dictate how employers can use salary history information of employees and applicants for employment. Existing law prohibits California employers from asking … Continue Reading
The past year saw many significant developments in the area of labor and employment law at all levels of government. Simply by way of example, new legislation imposed additional obligations on employers that operate in New Jersey and New York; federal Courts of Appeals “clarified” standards applicable to workplace discrimination claims; and under the Trump … Continue Reading
This year, New York City and New York State advanced a series of legislative and regulatory proposals affecting New York’s businesses and their employees. Following four public hearings across the state, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) proposed regulations that would expand the current “call-in” regulations by requiring two weeks’ advance notice of … Continue Reading
The District of Columbia Council recently passed a law to increase the minimum wage for employees to $15 by 2022. The District of Columbia joins other states in raising its minimum wage to rates higher than the current federal minimum wage of $7.25. The current minimum wage in the District ($10.50) is scheduled to rise … Continue Reading
As we previously discussed here, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently changed the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA’s or the Act’s) Salary Level and Salary Basis tests for the white collar exemptions to the Act’s overtime requirement. Effective Dec. 1, 2016, employees must be paid at least $47,476 annually and $913 per week … Continue Reading
At Greenberg Traurig, we live our motto “built for change” and apply it for the benefit of the businesses we serve. Our California Labor and Employment Practice appreciates that although California presents opportunity, it also presents an often unique set of employment risk propositions, and these risks are often just one set among a constellation … Continue Reading
The New York City Council passed a bill today precluding employers from doing criminal background checks on applicants until after a conditional offer of employment has been extended to the applicant. The law would also require certain steps to be taken (similar to those under the Fair Credit Reporting Act) regarding providing information to the … Continue Reading
The GT Alert — 2013 California Employment Law Legislative Update: Things You Need to Know for 2014 was prepared by James M. Nelson, Angela Diesch and Jennifer Holly. This Alert discusses how California’s legislative changes will affect management of employment in California for 2014 and beyond. The authors offer insight on the more significant employment-related … Continue Reading
On April 25th, federal lawmakers reintroduced the latest version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“ENDA”) in both the House and Senate. If passed, ENDA would prohibit covered employers from discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. ENDA is certainly not new legislation. ENDA, in one form or … Continue Reading
Prepared by: Brian Confino Most businesses possess confidential information or trade secrets that need to be safe-guarded, or intellectual property, equipment, or processes that set them apart from their competition. Many companies choose to protect this information using “restrictive covenants” – agreements in which employees promise not to compete with the business in the future, … Continue Reading
In response to the growing number of tragic mass shootings, most recently in Newtown, Connecticut, federal, state and local governments continue grappling with how to address issues of gun control. Given these arising issues, employers must also be cognizant of their duty to protect employees, clients and customers while still being mindful of individual employee … Continue Reading
New York State’s minimum wage will gradually increase from the current rate of $7.25 per hour to $9.00 per hour over the next few years. The wage increases go into effect as follows: $8.00 on or after December 31, 2013; $8.75 on or after December 31, 2014; and $9.00 on or after December 31, 2015.… Continue Reading
On November 18, 2012, companies doing business in Newark, N.J., that employ five or more workers will be prohibited from conducting criminal background checks before or during the job application process.… Continue Reading
March 1, 2012 marks a critical compliance date for businesses covered by the Massachusetts data security regulations, which includes virtually all Massachusetts employers. Regulations implementing Massachusetts law defining standards to be met by businesses with access to “personal information” of any Massachusetts resident went into effect in 2010. The regulations contain a two-year grace period … Continue Reading
