an Ontario, Canada’s Divisional Court Confirms Unionized Workplaces May Pursue Human Rights Claims Before Labour Arbitrator or Human Rights Tribunal By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:03:01 +0000 In London District Catholic School Board v. Full Article
an SCOTUS’s job transfer ruling raises greater risk of DEI disputes By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:21:15 +0000 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 View (Subscription required.) Full Article
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an Puerto Rico Supreme Court Clarifies Employment Claims Inheritance Rights By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 03 Jul 2024 20:34:47 +0000 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. Full Article
an BIPA claim accrual changes signed into law By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:58:22 +0000 Orly Henry discusses BIPA reform and applying the law to pending cases. Chicago Daily Law Bulletin View (Subscription required) Full Article
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an West Hollywood, California Adopts Comprehensive Hotel Worker Ordinance with Right to Recall By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 22:07:19 +0000 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. Full Article
an Clearing the Way to Compliance: Hindsight Is So 2020 By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Sep 2021 15:12:44 +0000 Full Article
an 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
an 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
an New Jersey Enacts Last-Minute Bill Tying the Hands of Successor Hotels By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:22:17 +0000 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. Full Article
an 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
an 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
an 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
an New Jersey Edges Closer to Implementing Landmark WARN Law By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Dec 2022 18:15:52 +0000 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. Full Article
an 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
an Making Redundancies in the UK By www.littler.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:27:24 +0000 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. Full Article
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an RIFs and Rioja: Let’s W(h)ine About It By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:07:16 +0000 Full Article
an 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
an New Jersey Adopts Changes Affecting Service Employees During Changes in Ownership By www.littler.com Published On :: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 22:11:53 +0000 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. Full Article
an New Jersey Adopts Law Affecting Service Employees During Changes in Ownership By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:05:48 +0000 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 View (Subscription required.) Full Article
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an "Violates what is most sacred": X-ray of the initiative that allowed banks to charge themselves Chinese wages By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:13:39 +0000 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 View Full Article
an 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
an 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
an Experts disagree on the consequences of raising severance payments By www.littler.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Jun 2022 20:12:34 +0000 Iván López García de la Riva discusses Spain’s plan to raise severance payments in certain situations. CincoDías View Full Article
an DOL Plans To Unveil Overtime Rule In October By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:22:44 +0000 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 View (Subscription required.) Full Article
an As costs rise, is an $18 minimum wage the new standard for pay debates? By www.littler.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:34:20 +0000 Shannon Meade talks about states implementing minimum wage increases, increases in employers’ total compensation packages and the trend in “unretirements.” HR Dive View (Subscription required.) Full Article
an States That Raise Minimum Wage May Counterbalance Inflation By www.littler.com Published On :: Mon, 25 Jul 2022 17:39:14 +0000 Paul Piccigallo talks about considerations for employers when raising minimum wage in the midst of rising inflation. SHRM Online View (Subscription required.) Full Article