News

New minimum wage rates July 1: What you need to know

A number of state and local minimum wage rates are scheduled to increase on July 1, 2020. Below is a summary of these changes and guidelines to help you comply with your minimum wage requirements.

Forms I-9: temporary policy for expired documents

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a temporary policy regarding expired documents used for Form I-9 purposes. The Form I-9 is used to verify a new hire's identity and work authorization.

DOL issues overtime rule for commission-based retail employees

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule for determining whether employers qualify as "retail or service" establishments for purposes of an overtime exemption for commission-based employees. The final rule takes effect immediately.

10 practices that could land you in hot water during COVID-19

Federal, state and local laws prohibit employers from discriminating against individuals because of race, national origin, sex, pregnancy, disability, and certain other characteristics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, employers must navigate all employment decisions — including those related to layoffs, rehires, and leave — without violating these laws. Here are 10 problematic practices related to COVID-19 that may violate nondiscrimination laws.

OSHA offers updated guidance on recording COVID-19 cases

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued updated guidance on recording occupational illnesses related to COVID-19. The guidance took effect May 26, 2020 and remains in effect until further notice.

EEO-1 reporting delayed until 2021

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that employers won't be required to file an EEO-1 Report in 2020 because of the impact of COVID-19. Instead, the EEOC will collect the EEO-1 data for both 2019 and 2020 in March 2021.

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Regional Alerts

Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, Virginia

Virginia has enacted legislation (House Bill 622) that prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for discussing their wages. House Bill 622 takes effect July 1, 2020.

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, California

Currently, Bay Area employers with 20 or more employees (located anywhere) are required to provide eligible San Francisco employees up to six weeks of supplemental compensation if they take time off to bond with a new child. Effective July 1, 2020, this requirement will increase to eight weeks ...

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, New-York-

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has adopted an emergency rule that requires employers to provide an unemployment insurance notice to employees whose work schedule and/or employment status is impacted by COVID-19.

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, New-Jersey-

Following Senate Bill 2353, amendments to New Jersey's mini-WARN Act that were scheduled to take effect on July 19, 2020 will now take effect 90 days after the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency as declared by the Governor's Executive Order 103 of 2020.

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, Maryland-

Maryland has enacted legislation (House Bill 1202) that will prohibit employers from using facial recognition services during an interview unless the applicant consents. House Bill 1202 takes effect Oct. 1, 2020.

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, Maryland-

Maryland has enacted legislation (House Bill 1444) that will expressly prohibit employers from discriminating against individuals because of hair texture and protective hairstyles. House Bill 1444 takes effect Oct. 1, 2020.

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, Maryland-

Maryland has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 780) that amends the Economic Stabilization Act (also known as Mini-WARN) to require Maryland employers with at least 50 employees to provide 60 days' written notice before initiating a reduction in operations. Senate Bill 780 takes effect Oct. 1, ...

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Compliance-Corner-, State-Compliance-Update, Colorado

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has published an emergency rule that temporarily requires employers in certain industries to provide paid sick leave to employees for certain COVID-19 related purposes. Employees may be entitled to leave if they have flu-like symptoms or ...

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