As the Omicron wave recedes, many states have announced changes to their face covering rules. Here are some key changes in California, Illinois, and New York as well as some points employers should consider before tossing masks aside in the workplace. Baker & McKenzie:The Employer Report Littler Insight:Facing Your Face Mask Duties – A List […]

The “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021”, which the President Biden is expected to sign into law, amends the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) to prohibit employers from including mandatory arbitration clauses in pre-dispute arbitration agreements (i.e., contracts, employee handbooks, or offer letters) that apply to claims of sexual harassment […]

California employers with 26 or more employees are required to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave for qualifying COVID-19 related reasons. Although the law is similar to another bill, which expired on September 30, 2021, there are some significant differences. Morgan Lewis:Update: California Governor Signs SB 114 to Reinstate COVID-19 Supplemental […]

California requires employers with 100 or more employees to annually submit data on the pay, hours worked, and demographics of their employees to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Pay data reports covering the 2021 Reporting Year are due by April 1, 2022. CA DFEH:・California Pay Data Reporting・Frequently Asked Questions

After months of confusion about whether to begin withholding premiums from employees’ paychecks on January 1, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law to delay the payroll tax until July 2023. The law requires employers to refund any premiums they have collected within 120 days of (a) the employer’s collection of the premiums from the […]

Following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on January 13, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has withdrawn its enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring most employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or tests for employees.   The Court directed the Sixth Circuit to consider the substantive validity of the ETS. Enforcement of […]

Starting Jan. 15, health plans must cover or reimburse costs for over-the-counter (OTC) at-home rapid COVID-19 tests without requiring health plan participants to pay any of the amount. Jackson Lewis:At-Home COVID-19 Testing Options and Alternatives

Beginning with the 2021 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection, tentatively scheduled to open on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, all filers reporting data for establishments with fewer than 50 employees must use a Type 8 Establishment Report (“Type 8 Report”) to submit such data. EEOC:2021 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection Proskauer:EEOC Announces Deadline for 2021 EEO-1 […]

California employers are required to post their annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses, including COVID-19 illness, in a visible and easily accessible area at every worksite from February 1st through April 30th. Employers are required to use Cal/OSHA’s Form 300A for this posting. Jackson Lewis:300A Alert! Reminder to Post and Report Annual Summary of […]

Private employers with more than 100 employees in the state of Illinois, who are also required to file an EEO-1 with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, must submit an application to the Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) for an Equal Pay Registration Certification (“EPRC”). IDOL sent out notices on January 25th to 625 employers, notifying […]