The Biden administration has announced its Final Rule directing federal contractors to pay their workers a $15 minimum wage starting next year.

The Final Rule, effective January 30, 2022, establishes standards and procedures for implementing and enforcing the minimum wage protections of Executive Order 14026 (Order). Additionally, it sets forth an anti-retaliation provision, a prohibition against waiver of rights, and a severability clause. Finally, the Final Rule specifies procedures related to complaint intake, investigations, remedies, and administrative enforcement proceedings.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an emergency rule that requires COVID-19 vaccination for workers at healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

President Biden has announced that federal contractors and subcontractors will have until January 18, 2022 to ensure that all covered employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

More than 20 states and 30 local minimum wage rates are scheduled to increase on January 1, 2022. Below is a summary of these changes and guidelines to help you comply with your minimum wage requirements.

CDC continues to recommend avoiding large events and gatherings. Here is an infographic with helpful tips for enjoying holiday traditions while protecting your loved ones.

West Hollywood, California has enacted an ordinance that establishes a local minimum wage. The ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2022 and applies to any employee who works at least two hours per week in West Hollywood.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has issued a final rule clarifying that employers are prohibited from requiring employees to forfeit any accrued paid time off (PTO) that they may choose to use for vacation and other needs. The final rule takes effect January 1, 2022.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has released rules that finalize an increase to the minimum wage and the minimum salary required for exemption from overtime, add a new exemption from overtime for highly compensated employees, and establish new poster rules for employers. The changes are included in Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #38 and the 2022 Publication and Yearly Calculation of Adjusted Labor Compensation (PAY CALC) Order and take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Florida has enacted legislation (House Bill 1) that prohibits private employers from imposing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate without providing exemptions for medical reasons (including pregnancy and anticipated pregnancy), religious reasons, COVID-19 immunity, periodic testing, and the use of employer-provided personal protective equipment (PPE). House Bill 1 is effective immediately and expires on June 1, 2023.

Illinois has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 1169) that clarifies that the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act (HCRCA) doesn’t prohibit employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing. Senate Bill 1169 takes effect June 1, 2022.