Employers using timeclocks that use employee finger or hand scanning technology to clock in and out may have heard about a recent surge of class action litigation asserting that such technologies are covered by the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA” or the “Act”).  Many lawsuits have been filed against employers operating in Illinois. 

To provide hospitality workers greater protections against sexual harassment and assault, the Chicago City Council has passed the “Hands Off Pants On” Ordinance. The Ordinance requires all hotels in the City to adopt a panic button system and an anti-sexual harassment policy.

California again takes the road less traveled in the employment world. In a case that serves as a reminder of the nation’s evolving understanding of disability, a California Appellate court published an extensive decision defining obesity as a disability and issuing further guidance.

New Jersey expanded its civil rights protections to include breastfeeding, expressing milk, and related medical conditions. Employers must also provide reasonable accommodations for breastfeeding women, including reasonable break time and a suitable location to express milk in private.

On January 12, 2018, the Maryland legislature overrode Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of the Healthy Working Families Act, which requires Maryland businesses to provide covered employees with paid sick and safe leave (PSSL). Maryland’s paid sick leave law takes effect on February 11, 2018.

Washington has joined the growing list of jurisdictions requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. As of January 1, 2018, all Washington employers, regardless of size, must provide their employees paid sick and safe leave.

Effective January 1, 2018, North Carolina workers employed in in a seasonal amusement or recreational establishment must be paid the full minimum wage rate. 

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs has released the “Fair Workweek Rules" and has issued required employee notices, overviews, and Frequently-Asked-Questions.

Our Sick Leave Toolkit, which includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and model sick leave policies for jurisdictions with sick leave laws, has been updated based on recent agency guidance, rules and/or best practice recommendations.  

As you are likely aware from previous communications, the New York Paid Family Leave Benefits Law is set to take effect January 1, 2018.  As service to you, we have prepared an Employer Toolkit, which summarizes key provisions of the law and regulations and provides an overview of the claims process and sample employee communications. It is designed to get you quickly up to speed on your compliance obligations and how ADP Resource assists you in complying with those obligations.