In this episode of our Women’s History Month podcast series, Conversations with Women, WLI co-chair Margaret Hogan talks with three Littler associates who have shaped their legal careers in the area of traditional labor. Listen as Kameron Miller, Ashton Hupman and Brittany Stepp tell their stories of being women attorneys in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
  

In continued celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Littler's Jennifer Maguire, Sarah Sorensen, and Daniel Kim discuss how their individual experiences in the U.S. Military – as a JAG officer, a military spouse, and an officer – shaped them as leaders, ultimately leading to careers in labor and employment law.
  

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, Jennifer Duke, Littler Learning Group Director and attorney, talks with Anna Curry Gualano, Littler Principal and co-chair of the firm’s Individuals with Disabilities affinity group, about the importance of disability inclusion and its impact in the workplace for both employers and employees.
  

As February comes to a close, we end our celebration of Black History Month with a podcast featuring Littler attorneys and authors in honor of this year’s theme “African Americans and the Arts.” Littler attorney Karimah Lamar, has a thought-provoking conversation with fellow Littler attorneys Michael Wilder and Tiffany Obeng, who share their journey to becoming published authors and the influence it has had on their careers.
 

Littler’s Anna Curry Gualano is joined by her father, Ashley Curry, to discuss their advocacy work in Alabama to update the traditional accessibility symbol to one that is more inclusive and empowering.
  

On August 7, 2024, the City of Los Angeles unveiled its “Model Contract” under the Freelance Workers Protections Ordinance (FWPO). This ordinance, which took effect on July 1, 2023, was designed to bolster protections for freelance workers in Los Angeles.

Ensure Compliance with California Labor Code Section 2775 et seq.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill on September 4, 2024 that requires retail employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention training and policies, among other measures.  The law becomes effective 180 days after her signature, or March 3, 2025.

On September 10, 2024, the Puerto Rico Secretary of Labor issued an Opinion (No. 2024-02) to clarify and provide additional information about the application of Act No. 27-2024, known as the "Act to Facilitate the Implementation of Remote Work in the Private Sector and to Incentivize the Establishment of Airline Bases in Puerto Rico.” Act No. 27-2024 exempts from certain employment law coverage domiciled and non-domiciled employees working remotely from Puerto Rico for out-of-state employers with no business nexus to Puerto Rico, and certain unionized airline employees.  

Last fall, California enacted Senate Bill 525, which substantially raises the base minimum wage for health care workers over time to $25 per hour.  The first incremental increase above the general state minimum wage was scheduled to occur on June 1, 2024.  However, there were several delays and amendments to the law due to its impact on the California budget.  After the last delay in late June, health care employers did not have a clear answer t

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Office of Labor Standards (COLS) recently posted updates to its website regarding minimum wage obligations, paid leave and paid sick and safe leave, new fair work week thresholds, and updated required labor notices. The compliance deadline for these obligations is July 1, 2024.

Sophie Vanhegan says employers must continue to shift culture and workplace dynamics to encourage greater awareness of and support for mental health matters. 

People Management

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If you have employees working in Oregon, chances are you have heard about Oregon’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program also known as Paid Leave Oregon (“PLO”). In addition to PLO, eligible Oregon employees may be entitled to leave under the Oregon Family Medical Leave Act (“OFLA”), Oregon Sick Time law (“OSTL”), and the federal Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”).

After the UK general election was announced, the following legislation was approved by Parliament during what is known as 'the wash-up' period towards the end of May 2024. Some of these require further regulations to bring them into force, and when (or if) they will be brought into force will be largely dependent upon the new government’s priorities and policies. 

Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024

Following Disability Pride Month, we look to the past, present and future to examine how rights for people with disabilities in the workplace have developed in the UK and could develop further, before giving some practical steps for employers.

A brief history of disability laws

Lisa Shevlin and Cristin Casey review Oregon’s leave laws and offer some suggested strategies to help employers maintain compliance.

SHRM

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On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. On the recent 34th anniversary of the ADA, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) General Counsel Karla Gilbride and U.S.

Bradford Kelley discusses the importance of employers reviewing their leave of absence policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Law360 

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Bradford J. Kelley and Sean O'Brien discuss how, on the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Justice Department emphasize their commitment to ensuring that emerging technologies and AI comply with ADA standards.

Westlaw Today

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What is it?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008 to document the history and legacy of residential schools, which were operated between the late 1800s and the late 1990s by the federal government and Christian churches as part of a federal policy to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society.

Ole Kristian Olsby and Nina Elisabeth Thjømøe explain the regulations around gender equality and discrimination in the workplace.

International Law Office (ILO)

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Paul Bateman and Erin Webber share how Bateman’s new role will encourage Littler’s social justice initiatives.

Law360

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Ole Kristian Olsby and Nina Elisabeth Thjømøe explain Norway’s new Anti-discrimination Tribunal.

International Law Office (ILO)

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Ole Kristian Olsby and Nina Elisabeth Thjømøe clarify how to actively prevent sexual harassment and unwanted attention in the workplace through a recent Supreme Court ruling.

International Law Office (ILO)

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LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (February 25, 2021) – William Ng, a shareholder in the Long Island office of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been named president-elect of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) effective April 1, 2021.

(March 17, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that Shareholder Theodora Lee (San Francisco) has been selected for the National Black Lawyers (NBL) “Top 100” for California. Additionally, associates Ashley Thomas (Houston) and Adama Wiltshire (Philadelphia) have been named to the NBL “Top 40 Under 40” for Texas and Pennsylvania, respectively.

(March 22, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce new leadership for its ‘Ohana and Reunión affinity groups. Additionally, the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Council added six new members.

(March 23, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that several of its attorneys have been selected for the 2021 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows and Pathfinders programs and the National Employment Law Council (NELC) Academy.

Erin Webber shares how inclusion, equity and diversity has positively impacted her legal career at Littler. 

L'Economia

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Margaret Parnell Hogan interviews Wendy Buckingham and Emily Haigh on how their experience as women in the U.S. military influenced their legal careers, and how their backgrounds shaped their outlook on gender equity in the workplace.
  

Report reviews the myriad forces transforming the workplace and formalizes Littler’s Global Workplace Transformation Initiative

Kimberly Doud of Littler’s Orlando office, Chelsea Lewis of Littler's Miami office, and Kameron Miller of Littler's Charleston office present episode one of the Allied Behavior podcast series. Allied Behavior is focused on cultivating conscious conversations about inclusion, equity, diversity, and allyship in a corporate environment. In this episode, Kimberly, Chelsea, and Kameron discuss the importance of effective allyship and provide suggestions to turn allyship into meaningful action in the workplace.
  

In support of AAPI Heritage Month, this podcast features Danielle Herring (Houston), Emilie Hammerstein (Pittsburgh) and Alan Sims (Downtown Los Angeles) as they explore their biracial identity and how that shapes the way they practice law.
  

In continued celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Eddie Chyun (Cleveland), Lavanga Wijekoon (Chicago) and Aki Tanaka (Boston) share their stories of moving to the U.S., assimilating and adding to the American culture, and how their worldview, experiences, and background prepared them to practice law.
  

Barry Hartstein explains his view of the EEOC’s vaccination incentives.

HR Dive

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(June 3, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has selected Shareholder Jeremy Hawpe (Dallas) as co-chair of its Pride affinity group, joining Shareholder Lauren Schwartzreich (Denver), and succeeding Shareholder Darren Gibson (Austin) who is stepping down to focus on his growing and active practice.

In celebration of Pride Month, Whitney Williams (L.A. – Century City) and Michael Hui (San Francisco) discuss their personal experiences growing up gay in the Black and Asian American communities, what their similar upbringings have taught them about being an attorney, and how the Littler Pride affinity group is an important part of their lives at the firm.