Arkansas Bans Hairstyle Discrimination

Arkansas has enacted legislation (House Bill 1576), which expressly prohibits employers with nine or more employees from discriminating against individuals based on a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle. The changes take effect July 31, 2023.

Arkansas Removes Youth Work Certificate Requirement

Arkansas has enacted legislation (House Bill 1410) that will remove a requirement for individuals under the age of 16 to obtain a work certificate from the state Department of Labor. House Bill 1410 takes effect July 30, 2023.

Arkansas requires exemption process for COVID-19 vaccination requirements

Arkansas has enacted legislation (House Bill 1977) that requires employers to provide an exemption process as an alternative to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. House Bill 1977 takes effect on or about January 13, 2022 and expires on July 31, 2023, unless extended.

Arkansas amends law on firearms in employer parking lots

Arkansas has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 555) that amends the state's law concerning transportation and storage of firearms by employees in employers' parking lots. Senate Bill 555 takes effect on July 29, 2021.

Arkansas requires new notice for unemployment insurance

The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services has adopted an emergency rule that requires employers to provide an unemployment insurance notice to employees upon termination. The emergency rule takes effect April 27 and expires on Dec. 31, 2020.From April 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020, employers must provide the following notice to employees upon separation from the company.

Arkansas amends minimum wage act

The state of Arkansas has amended the state minimum wage statute in numerous areas impacting employers.

Minimum Wage Update for Various Jurisdictions

Various jurisdictions have increased their minimum wage rates. If applicable, you must increase the pay rate for exempt and/or non-exempt employees to meet the new minimum wage. For New York, the pay rate increase is effective on or before December 31, 2018. For all other jurisdictions and federal contractors, the increase is effective on or before January 1, 2019. An updated poster is not required provided that the employer has the most recent poster already on display. If needed, employers should order a new minimum wage poster. The minimum wage rate is based on the employee’s work location.

Arkansas Employers Granted Increased Flexibility in the Payment of Wages

Beginning September 11, 2017, Arkansas employers will have greater flexibility in the frequency with which they pay employee wages. Instead of paying employees only on a semimonthly basis, employers will be able to pay employees on a more frequent basis.

Seven States Pass New Marijuana Laws on Election Day

Seven (7) states have joined the growing list of states legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal and/or recreational purposes. Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and North Dakota passed new marijuana laws on election day, bringing the total states (plus the District of Columbia) with medical marijuana laws to 28 and the total states (plus the District of Columbia) with recreational marijuana laws to eight (8).

Arkansas - Minimum Wage Update

The state's minimum wage increased to $7.50 per hour on January 1, 2015, and will increase to $8.00 per hour January 1, 2016, and $8.50 per hour on January 1, 201

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