On November 10, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor confirmed the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) credit reduction states and rates for the 2017 tax year. All employers that are subject to FUTA tax and have paid wages in California and/or the Virgin Islands will see an increase in their 2017 FUTA taxes.

Several states, cities, and counties will be increasing their minimum wage rates effective January 1, 2018.  In several jurisdictions, the rate of pay depends on the size of the employer and/or work location of the employees, and you will have to update your employees’ rates as needed to ensure you remain in compliance.

In an amendment to the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, the state of Massachusetts has expressly included pregnancy as a protected characteristic and expands accommodation requirements for pregnant employees. The amended law goes into effect April 1, 2018.

The Supreme Court of Minnesota, in Burt v. Rackner, Inc., has ruled that discharging an employee for refusing to share tips is illegal under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act (MFLSA).