on Supreme Court makes it easier to file workplace discrimination claims By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:38:07 +0000 Alyesha Asghar said the Supreme Court’s decision in Muldrow v. St. Louis, which will make it easier for employees to pursue discrimination claims over job transfers, does not mean an end to IE&D. The Washington Post View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on 4 Questions The Justices' Bias Ruling Leaves To Lower Courts By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:40:45 +0000 Alyesha Asghar discusses the potential impact for employers after the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Title VII in Muldrow v. St Louis. Law360 Employment Authority View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on New York City Bans Contractual Provisions Shortening Period of Time to File Complaints or Civil Actions Relating to Discrimination, Harassment or Violence By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 13 May 2024 17:48:10 +0000 Effective May 11, 2024, New York City now prohibits employers from entering into any type of agreement that shortens the statutory period by which an employee may file an administrative claim or complaint, or civil action, relating to unlawful discriminatory practices, harassment or violence under the New York City Human Rights Law, Admin. Code § 8-101, et seq. (NYCHRL). Full Article
on Stryker Worker Appeal Puts Focus on Early Leave for Child Birth By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 21 May 2024 21:49:42 +0000 Jeff Nowak says this case will test when workers can take federal job-protected leave prior to a baby’s arrival and won’t drastically change life as we know it because employers are overwhelmingly supportive of their employees’ FMLA rights. Bloomberg Law View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on Challenges to Regulators Mount as the U.S. Supreme Court Mulls Chevron Deference By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:15:43 +0000 As the Supreme Court mulls the Chevron decision, Michael Lotito says whatever the court decides, it’s likely little will change at the ground level of day-to-day enforcement activities. Law.com View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on EEOC Commissioner Charge Hike Puts More Power in Members’ Hands By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:18:33 +0000 Jim Paretti comments on a recent boost in EEOC commissioner charges. Bloomberg Law View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on Virginia’s 2024 Legislative Session Sees Few Employment Bills Passed and Record Vetoes By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:28:47 +0000 The Virginia General Assembly and Governor Glenn Youngkin enacted several bills taking effect on July 1, 2024, to (1) clarify the scope and administrative requirements of the Virginia Human Rights Act, (2) clarify the scope of employee protections and employer rights related to the use of cannabis oil, and (3) create an optional poster describing benefits and services for veterans. Full Article
on New Jersey Court Clarifies Application of 2019 Wage and Hour Law Amendments By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:18:33 +0000 On August 6, 2019, New Jersey’s wage and hour laws were amended to include liquidated damages on some claims, a new retaliation cause of action, and expansion of the statute of limitations from two to six years (the “2019 amendments”). Since then, litigants in New Jersey have struggled with the effect those amendments have had on their lawsuits. One of the main points of confusion centered around whether the 2019 amendments applied retroactively to violations prior to August 6, 2019, or whether the changes applied prospectively only. A significant conflict developed between federal and Full Article
on Minimum Salaries and the Evolving Workforce: Why the DOL’s New Automatic Salary Updates Clash With Legal Precedent and Economic Facts By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:46:13 +0000 Alexander MacDonald says overtime exemptions are about to get more expensive as the salary necessary to qualify for the FLSA’s “white collar” exemptions will rise in July and again in January 2025. The Federalist Society Full Article
on California’s New Deal: Employment Law Reform May Depend on the Ballot Box By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:32:46 +0000 What do you get when you combine a business-backed ballot initiative, the state legislature and governor’s office, and labor organizations? A deal. California style. Full Article
on Judge Dismisses Former UberBlack Drivers' Employment Dispute Following Second Hung Jury By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:20:36 +0000 Robert W. Pritchard comments on the dismissal of a longstanding dispute between Uber and its former drivers. The Legal Intelligencer View (Subscription required) Full Article
on Illinois Extends Statute of Limitations for Filing Discrimination Claims Under Illinois Human Rights Act, Adds Protected Classes, and Clarifies AI Use in Employment Decisions By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:59:49 +0000 Last week, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law several bills that significantly amend the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). As a result of these amendments, Illinois employers should expect an uptick in discrimination cases proceeding through state courts and agencies. Longer Statute of Limitations Period Full Article
on How CEOs Can Address Politics In The Workplace Ahead Of The 2024 Election By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:28:46 +0000 Bradford J. Kelley and Michael J. Lotito discuss key steps to consider when business leaders work with their teams and HR departments to develop political speech policies and enforcement strategies. Chief Executive View Full Article
on The Artificial Intelligence Angle: Loper Bright’s Impact on Federal and State AI Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 18:04:34 +0000 The Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright may serve to limit federal agencies’ guidance on an employer’s use of AI in the workplace. State and local laws and regulations governing AI, on the other hand, may proliferate. Whether federal agencies will rely on more formal rulemaking processes or on less-formal guidance documents as they respond to Loper Bright remains uncertain. Full Article
on DOL Issues Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 21:21:17 +0000 On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that contains a new, temporary COBRA subsidy. Full Article
on Philadelphia Hotel, Airport Hospitality, and Event Center Businesses Face Significant New Recall and Retention Obligations By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:56:30 +0000 Philadelphia has imposed significant new recall and retention obligations on hotel, airport hospitality, and event center businesses as they struggle to recover in this uncertain COVID-19 economy. The new obligations are contained in a legislative package, styled as the Black Workers Matter Economic Recovery Package, which became law in Januar Full Article
on Philadelphia Expands Protections for Security, Janitorial, Maintenance, Food and Beverage, Hotel, and Health Care Employees Whose Jobs are Outsourced By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Apr 2021 14:36:14 +0000 The Philadelphia Protection of Displaced Contract Workers Ordinance offers job protections to workers providing security, janitorial, building maintenance, food and beverage, hotel service, or health care services who are employed by service contractors, and are displaced when the service contract is terminated and awarded to another service contractor.1 A recent amendment to the Ordinance significantly expands its scope to impose obligations on a business that decides to no longer utilize its Full Article
on Radical Expansion of New Jersey WARN Act Nears By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 17 May 2021 20:36:08 +0000 Updated June 8, 2021 Full Article
on IRS Issues Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 26 May 2021 16:48:57 +0000 On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that contains a new, temporary COBRA subsidy. The ARPA COBRA subsidy requires employers to cover 100% of an employee’s cost of continuing group health coverage under COBRA from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 for those who lost their health care coverage on account of a reduction of hours or an involuntary termination. Full Article
on Total Recall? Key Takeaways on the Nevada Hospitality and Travel Workers Right to Return Act By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Jun 2021 13:39:15 +0000 The Governor of Nevada recently signed into law Senate Bill 386, which is Nevada’s version of the trending “return to work” or “right to recall” laws being passed in other jurisdictions throughout the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws typically require that employees who were laid off due to the pandemic be given priority to be offered their former jobs before external candidates are considered. Nevada’s law, the Nevada Hospitality and Travel Workers Right to Return Act (“the Act”), does not apply to all businesses, but generally to such businesses that were most a Full Article
on California Further Restricts "Non-Disparagement" Provisions in Employment Settlement and Severance Agreements By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Oct 2021 18:43:48 +0000 In 2019, California adopted several laws that restricted “non-disclosure" provisions in employment-related agreements. Those laws, passed in the wake of the “me too” movement, limited non-disclosure provisions in settlement agreements for lawsuits and administrative agency charges involving allegations of sexual harassment.1 They also limited the use of non-disclosure provisions in exchange for a raise or a bonus, or as a co Full Article
on France: Role of the Social and Economic Committee in the Context of a Restructuring or Downsizing By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:00:11 +0000 In addition to the information and consultation obligations linked to their general responsibilities,1 Social and Economic Committees (“Comité Social et Economique” or "CSE") in French workplaces, which replace and merge all the employee representative bodies, staff representatives, works council, and health, safety and working conditions committee, must be informed and consulted in the event of a “restructuring and downsizing.”2 What is their scope of intervention? Cases Requiring Consultation Full Article
on Five Key Questions to Formulate a Top-Down Strategy for APAC Layoffs By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 05 Jan 2022 23:03:29 +0000 Isha Malhotra, Trent Sutton and Nancy Zhang offer guidelines for in-house counsel when advising a business on a restructure in APAC. ACC Docket View Full Article
on Puerto Rico Supreme Court Favors Employers on Business Reorganization and Unjustified Dismissal By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 18 Apr 2022 20:02:15 +0000 In a recent case issued by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (“the Court”), the Court addressed the standard and level of proof that must be presented by employers when raising as an affirmative defense a corporate reorganization. In Segarra Rivera vs. International Shipping Agency, 2022 T.S.P.R. 33, 208 D.P.R. ____ (Mar. Full Article
on Fifth Circuit Rules that COVID-19 Pandemic Did Not Trigger the “Natural Disaster” Exception to WARN Notice Requirements By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:50:15 +0000 In the first such decision from a federal appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled the COVID-19 pandemic is not a “natural disaster” that exempts employers from providing advance notice of mass layoffs and plant closures under the WARN Act. The court also opined that the natural-disaster exception requires proof of proximate causation, not but-for causation.1 Full Article
on Ontario, Canada: Availability of Deemed IDEL Ended on July 30, 2022 But Unpaid and Paid IDEL Still Available to Eligible Employees By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 10 Aug 2022 18:53:50 +0000 Deemed IDEL No Longer Available Full Article
on Signed, Sealed, Delivered: New Jersey Implements Long-Delayed Landmark WARN Law By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 23:11:39 +0000 On January 10, 2023, Governor Philip D. Murphy signed into law S3162 / A4768, which makes the 2020 amendments to NJ WARN effective 90 days from his signature, irrespective of whether a State of Emergency still exists. As previously reported, under these amendments: Full Article
on UK Government Issues New Draft Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 23 Feb 2023 15:44:32 +0000 In late January 2023, the UK Government published a draft Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement. The trigger for the draft Code was the increased attention on the use of dismissal and re-engagement (also known as “fire and rehire”) by employers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
on NLRB Decision Addresses Interaction between Confidentiality and Nondisparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements and Section 7 Rights By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:20:22 +0000 In McLaren Macomb, the NLRB overturned two decisions that had permitted employers to include confidentiality and nondisparagement provisions in severance agreements. “Mere proffer” of a severance agreement that conditions receipt of benefits on the “forfeiture of statutory rights” violates the NLRA. This Insight includes key takeaways from the Board’s decision and answers to common employer questions. Full Article
on Littler Survey: Economic Uncertainty Creates New Workforce Challenges for Employers By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:01:26 +0000 Survey of more than 450 employers reveals critical insights on layoffs, hiring practices and more (March 8, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has released the results of its latest Employer Pulse Survey Report: 2023 Economic Outlook, based on responses from more than 450 in-house lawyers, C-suite executives and human resources professionals across the United States. Full Article
on Steps Employers Can Take Before a Reduction in Force to Help Protect Trade Secrets By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:11:09 +0000 Layoffs may create an increased risk of trade secret misappropriation. Employers can take certain steps in advance of a reduction in force to help mitigate against this risk. Full Article
on Ontario, Canada Proposes ESA Amendments Relating to Remote Workers and New Hires By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 19:26:19 +0000 On March 13, 2023, Ontario announced that it is proposing two amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and related regulations. Employees Who Work Solely from Home to Become Eligible to Receive Enhanced Notice in Context of Mass Termination Full Article
on Ontario, Canada Introduces Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 for First Reading By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:58:41 +0000 On March 20, 2023, Ontario introduced Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 for First Reading. Full Article
on Ontario, Canada Court of Appeal Addresses How Employers Can Preserve Right to Unilaterally Lay Off Employees Without Being Found to Have Constructively Dismissed Them By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2023 21:13:06 +0000 In Pham v. Full Article
on WARNing: Amendments to the New York WARN Act Regulations are Now in Effect By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:08:45 +0000 Compliance with the New York Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (NY WARN) Act just got harder (again). On June 21, 2023, the New York Department of Labor’s amendments to the NY WARN regulations took effect and some of the changes are sweeping. Employer Coverage Under the amended regulations, the definition of a covered employer is expanded to count not just employees at a single site of employment in the state, but also employees who work remotely but are “based at the employment site.” New Notice Content Requirements Full Article
on Ontario, Canada’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 Is Now in Force By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:18:13 +0000 On October 26, 2023, Ontario’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 (Bill 79) received Royal Assent and came into force. The statutes amended by Bill 79 include the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009 (EPFNA). ESA Amendments Bill 79 made the following amendments to the ESA: Full Article
on As employers consider strategies for adapting the size of their workforces to meet changing business demands and technologies, what guidance should be top-of-mind? By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:21:34 +0000 Full Article
on Ontario, Canada: Amending Regulation Supports Bill 79’s Changes to ESA’s Mass Termination Provisions By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:45:35 +0000 On November 25, 2023, O. Reg. 340/23: TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE OF EMPLOYMENT made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) (Regulation), amending O. Reg. Full Article
on UK: New Regulations Will Extend Current Redundancy Protections for Individuals Who Are Pregnant or on Maternity, Adoption, or Shared Parental Leave By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:12:23 +0000 Currently, employees in the UK on statutory maternity, adoption or shared parental leave who are at risk of redundancy have priority rights to be offered a suitable alternative vacancy (but only where such a vacancy exists). New regulations have been introduced to extend redundancy protections, both before (for pregnant employees only) and after the return to work. These regulations arose in response to research that found that mothers returning from maternity leave still faced discrimination in the workplace after returning from leave. Full Article
on Dear Littler: What are some considerations before implementing our return-to-office policy? By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:24:18 +0000 Dear Littler, We are a professional services company with employees in various states. During the pandemic we shifted to fully remote work. As the pandemic subsided, we still leaned into remote work to attract and retain talent who preferred remote work. We also shifted our focus almost exclusively to digital services that did not require an in-person presence since our clients were also remote. We kept most of our physical offices intact but downsized some square footage to reduce our overhead. Full Article
on Validation of the labor reform in Congress: litmus test for the credibility of collective bargaining By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 28 Jan 2022 15:47:44 +0000 Javier Thibault weighs in on the Spanish parliament’s recent labor reform agreement and its effects on the recovery and the labor market. Confilegal View Full Article
on $15 Minimum Wage For State Employees Gaining Traction By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:12:13 +0000 As many states are raising the minimum wage for state employees, Shannon Meade explains that minimum wage increases will differ based on where the employees are located. Law360 Employment Authority View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on New York, Calif. Bills Would Give Nonunion Workers More Say By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:58:21 +0000 Michael Lotito weighs in on a New York measure that would establish a policy-making council that would set rules on pay, safety and working conditions "as reasonably necessary" to protect worker welfare. Law360 Employment Authority View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on Employment Law Class Actions in Nevada By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 17:45:27 +0000 Diana Dickinson and Montgomery Paek write about how employers can protect themselves against employment law class actions and discuss a few issues in Nevada that have sparked significant class action litigation and appellate review. Clark County Bar Association View Full Article
on Minimum Wage Fight Is At An Inflection Point By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:46:33 +0000 Shannon Meade talks about how the pandemic has upended the labor market, pushing employees to realize the benefits of higher pay and forcing employers to offer better pay and flexibility. Law360 Employment Authority View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on Increased Liability for Subcontractor’s Injured Workers By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:29:34 +0000 William Foster and Katie Towery share the changes in the legal landscape and how it could result in manufacturers’ increased liability for workplace accidents. Industry Today View Full Article
on Can CERB payment be deducted from wrongful dismissal damage award? By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:39:58 +0000 Rhonda Levy and George Vassos discuss a recent British Columbia Supreme Court case that directed an employee’s CERB payment to be deducted from wrongful dismissal damage awards. Human Resources Director Canada View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on NYC Pay Transparency Changes Poised to Shape Job Ads Nationally By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:20:17 +0000 Eli Freedberg explains that there are lots of gray areas for employers in a New York City law that requires them to post pay ranges in their job ads. Bloomberg Law View (Subscription required.) Full Article
on How the talent squeeze is driving flexible work options By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 31 May 2022 21:45:49 +0000 Devjani Mishra, Barry Hartstein and Michael Lotito provide insight into the findings of Littler’s Annual Employer Survey and several workplace issues and the fast-changing regulations facing employers. (Subscription required.) Human Resource Executive View Full Article
on Are employees entitled to paid time off to vote in the election? By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 03 Jun 2022 21:31:01 +0000 Rhonda Levy and George Vassos explain Ontario’s Election Act, under which every employee who is qualified to vote is entitled to three consecutive hours to vote while the polls are open. Human Resources Director Canada View (Subscription required.) Full Article