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Ontario, Canada’s Divisional Court Confirms Unionized Workplaces May Pursue Human Rights Claims Before Labour Arbitrator or Human Rights Tribunal




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SCOTUS’s job transfer ruling raises greater risk of DEI disputes

Philip Berkowitz discusses the Supreme Court’s decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis that makes it easier for employees to bring workplace discrimination claims against unwanted job transfers.

International Employment Lawyer

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New York City Bans Contractual Provisions Shortening Period of Time to File Complaints or Civil Actions Relating to Discrimination, Harassment or Violence

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).




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EEOC Commissioner Charge Hike Puts More Power in Members’ Hands

Jim Paretti comments on a recent boost in EEOC commissioner charges.

Bloomberg Law

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Virginia’s 2024 Legislative Session Sees Few Employment Bills Passed and Record Vetoes

  • 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.




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New Jersey Court Clarifies Application of 2019 Wage and Hour Law Amendments

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




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Minimum Salaries and the Evolving Workforce: Why the DOL’s New Automatic Salary Updates Clash With Legal Precedent and Economic Facts

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




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Puerto Rico Supreme Court Clarifies Employment Claims Inheritance Rights

In Ruiz Mattei v. Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc.,1 the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico determined that claims under the Unjustified Dismissal Act2 and the Workplace Discrimination Act3 are transferable to the employee’s heirs following the employee’s death.




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BIPA claim accrual changes signed into law

Orly Henry discusses BIPA reform and applying the law to pending cases.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

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Illinois Extends Statute of Limitations for Filing Discrimination Claims Under Illinois Human Rights Act, Adds Protected Classes, and Clarifies AI Use in Employment Decisions

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




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How CEOs Can Address Politics In The Workplace Ahead Of The 2024 Election

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

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The Artificial Intelligence Angle: Loper Bright’s Impact on Federal and State AI Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance

  • 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.




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DOL Issues Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that contains a new, temporary COBRA subsidy.




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Philadelphia Hotel, Airport Hospitality, and Event Center Businesses Face Significant New Recall and Retention Obligations

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




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Philadelphia Expands Protections for Security, Janitorial, Maintenance, Food and Beverage, Hotel, and Health Care Employees Whose Jobs are Outsourced

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




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Radical Expansion of New Jersey WARN Act Nears

Updated June 8, 2021




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IRS Issues Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy

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.




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Total Recall? Key Takeaways on the Nevada Hospitality and Travel Workers Right to Return Act

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




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West Hollywood, California Adopts Comprehensive Hotel Worker Ordinance with Right to Recall

Over the past few years, cities have started to implement workplace regulation, an area previously reserved to federal and state governments.  The hotel industry, which often is one of the primary drivers of a local economy, has been a particular focus.




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Clearing the Way to Compliance: Hindsight Is So 2020




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California Further Restricts "Non-Disparagement" Provisions in Employment Settlement and Severance Agreements

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




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France: Role of the Social and Economic Committee in the Context of a Restructuring or Downsizing

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




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New Jersey Enacts Last-Minute Bill Tying the Hands of Successor Hotels

On January 18, 2022, Governor Philip D. Murphy signed NJ A6246 / S4295, which significantly restricts the business discretion of successor hotels. The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly passed this bill by an overwhelming majority on the final day of the previous legislative session.




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Puerto Rico Supreme Court Favors Employers on Business Reorganization and Unjustified Dismissal

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.




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Fifth Circuit Rules that COVID-19 Pandemic Did Not Trigger the “Natural Disaster” Exception to WARN Notice Requirements

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




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Ontario, Canada: Availability of Deemed IDEL Ended on July 30, 2022 But Unpaid and Paid IDEL Still Available to Eligible Employees

Deemed IDEL No Longer Available




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New Jersey Edges Closer to Implementing Landmark WARN Law

A bill advancing in the New Jersey Legislature would expedite the implementation of significant changes to the state’s WARN law. Back in January 2020, Governor Philip D. Murphy signed into law Senate Bill 3170, which radically expanded employers’ advance notice and severance pay obligations under the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act—otherwise known as NJ WARN.




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Signed, Sealed, Delivered: New Jersey Implements Long-Delayed Landmark WARN Law

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:




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Making Redundancies in the UK

  • Redundancies continue to increase in the UK.
  • US employers carrying out global RIFs need to plan for overseas consultation obligations, which can take considerable time and preparation.
  • UK has a statute similar to US WARN that is triggered at 20 layoffs but individual consultation is still required for any number of layoffs.




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UK Government Issues New Draft Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement

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.




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NLRB Decision Addresses Interaction between Confidentiality and Nondisparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements and Section 7 Rights

  • 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.




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Steps Employers Can Take Before a Reduction in Force to Help Protect Trade Secrets

  • 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.




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Ontario, Canada Proposes ESA Amendments Relating to Remote Workers and New Hires

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  




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Ontario, Canada Introduces Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 for First Reading

On March 20, 2023, Ontario introduced Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 for First Reading.




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RIFs and Rioja: Let’s W(h)ine About It




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Ontario, Canada Court of Appeal Addresses How Employers Can Preserve Right to Unilaterally Lay Off Employees Without Being Found to Have Constructively Dismissed Them




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New Jersey Adopts Changes Affecting Service Employees During Changes in Ownership

Governor Philip D. Murphy recently signed Assembly Bill 4682 / Senate Bill 2389, establishing various employment protections for specific “service employees” during changes of ownership. This bill goes into effect on October 22, 2023—90 days from signing.




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New Jersey Adopts Law Affecting Service Employees During Changes in Ownership

Amber Spataro and David Ostern examine New Jersey’s new Assembly Bill 4682, which establishes various employment protections for specific "service employees" during changes of ownership.

SHRM Online

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Ontario, Canada’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 Is Now in Force

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:




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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?




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Ontario, Canada: Amending Regulation Supports Bill 79’s Changes to ESA’s Mass Termination Provisions

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.




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UK: New Regulations Will Extend Current Redundancy Protections for Individuals Who Are Pregnant or on Maternity, Adoption, or Shared Parental Leave

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.




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Minimum Wage Fight Is At An Inflection Point

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

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"Violates what is most sacred": X-ray of the initiative that allowed banks to charge themselves Chinese wages

Jorge Sales Boyoli weighs in on a reform that was almost passed in Mexico, which “violates the most sacred thing that a worker has: his salary.” 

El Heraldo de Mexico

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Can CERB payment be deducted from wrongful dismissal damage award?

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

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NYC Pay Transparency Changes Poised to Shape Job Ads Nationally

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

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Experts disagree on the consequences of raising severance payments

Iván López García de la Riva discusses Spain’s plan to raise severance payments in certain situations. 

CincoDías

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DOL Plans To Unveil Overtime Rule In October

Lee Schreter comments on why raising the overtime salary threshold might not be a good idea with a recession on the way.

Law360 Employment Authority

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As costs rise, is an $18 minimum wage the new standard for pay debates?

Shannon Meade talks about states implementing minimum wage increases, increases in employers’ total compensation packages and the trend in “unretirements.”

HR Dive

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States That Raise Minimum Wage May Counterbalance Inflation

Paul Piccigallo talks about considerations for employers when raising minimum wage in the midst of rising inflation.

SHRM Online

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