The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its guidance on employer COVID-19 testing programs. The update reinforces that, since COVID-19 continues to evolve, mandatory testing is only acceptable if an employer can show that it is job related and consistent with business necessity. Morgan Lewis:EEOC Updates Guidance on Employer COVID-19 Testing Programs

Illinois, Louisiana, Maine and Tennessee have joined 12 other states and numerous jurisdictions in enacting the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of natural hairstyle. Employers should review their policies and procedures to ensure they comply with changes to their state’s civil rights laws. […]

On July 19, 2022, New York State launched a new, confidential sexual harassment hotline number: 1-800-HARASS-3 (1-800-427-2773). New York employees will be able to receive free legal counseling regarding any complaint of workplace sexual harassment. Also, it is expected that New York State Department of Labor will soon require employers to modify their sexual harassment […]

Previously, we reported that the District of Columbia would begin implementing a new non-compete law on October 1, 2022. However, on July 12, 2022, the DC Council amended the ban which, among other things, places significant limits on employee non-competes, including only permitting non-competes for certain highly compensated employees earning $150,000 or more annually and […]

Starting on October 1, 2022, a new Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance will become operative. The ordinance requires private employers with more than 100 employees worldwide to provide paid leave to employees for “public health emergencies”. The leave ordinance will be in addition to employer-provided paid leave, such as paid sick leave. Jackson Lewis:San Francisco […]

The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2022 from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile.  The new rate will be effective from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.  IRS:IRS Increases Mileage Rate for Remainder of 2022

The US Department of Labor has published new Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Guidance. The newly issued Fact Sheet explains when eligible employees may take FMLA leave to address mental health conditions and answers other leave issues. Epstein Becker Green:U.S. DOL Releases Guidance on FMLA Leave and Mental Health

Several state and local minimum wage rates will increase in the latter half of 2022, with most of these changes effective on July 1, 2022. Ogletree Deakins:Midyear 2022 State and Major Locality Minimum Wage Increases ADP:Minimum Wage Changes Coming July 1: What You Need to Know

On October 1, 2022, the District of Columbia will begin implementing a new non-compete law that prohibits the use of non-compete clauses in newly signed employment agreements affecting most everyone who works in the District of Columbia.  Also on October 1, 2022, due to a surplus in the District of Columbia’s Universal Paid Leave Fund, the […]

Illinois has enacted the Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA), an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act, which expands the definition of family members covered by FBLA and includes fertility-related losses in the acceptable reasons an employee may use leave under the FBLA.  These amendments are effective January 1, 2023. Jackson Lewis:Illinois Expands Unpaid Child Bereavement Leave to […]