State Employment Law Articles

On February 22, changes to the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) and the Temporary Schedule Change Act took effect

Washington’s Minimum Wage Act (MWA), RCW 49.46.130, mandates overtime compensation for Washington-based employees working over forty hours per workweek, regardless of where the work is performed. Although the law has been in place since 2007, Washington has experienced a recent surge in trucking ove

In the realm of New York workers’ compensation claims, return-to-work programs serve as a critical bridge between injury recovery and workforce re-entry.

On February 22, 2026, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) published updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and form notices addressing the amendments to New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA).

The Connecticut Supreme Court recently issued an impactful decision that will affect how employers across the state handle security screening procedures and wage calculations. In Del Rio v. Amazon.com Services, Inc. , the court held that time employees spend undergoing mandatory security screenings

On January 27, 2026, the Court of Appeals of Virginia ruled in Sentry Force Security, LLC v. Barrera that employers in the state: (i) can enforce customer nonsolicitation clauses that restrain low-wage workers from directly soliciting a customer, (ii) cannot enforce customer nonsolicitation clauses

Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury Announces 2026 Limits on Qualified Retirement Plans On February 20, 2026, the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury issued Internal Revenue Circular Letter No. 26-03 (“CL IR 26-03”) announcing the applicable 2026 limits for Puerto Rico qualified retirement pla

NYC Releases Guidance and Mandatory Notice of Employee Rights as Unpaid Sick Leave Takes Effect and Enforcement Ramps Up Under Earned Safe and Sick Time Act On February 19, 2026, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issued an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions

Recently introduced New Jersey legislation could make it more difficult for New Jersey employers to take adverse employment action against employees who test positive for marijuana in the workplace. If enacted, the legislation would significantly expand employment protections for registered medical

Amendments to New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act expanded employee leave rights effective 02.22.26. Our New York colleagues provide insights about what these amendments mean for employers and get you up to date on the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection recent FAQs, model forms,

New York Enacts Opioid Antagonist Requirements for Employers New York recently enacted legislation that will soon require employers that are federally mandated to maintain workplace first aid supplies to include an opioid antagonist, such as Naloxone or Narcan. The original bill, Senate Bill S5922‑A

A new law in Illinois requires health plans to cover therapies for menopause, and another new law in Philadelphia prohibits employers from discriminating based on menopause or menstruation. Several other states provide legal protections for female employees experiencing menopause, but Philadelphia i

On January 22, 2026, New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) released proposed rules implementing recent amendments to the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA). The amendments, which were adopted in October 2025 and are effective as of February 22, 2026, incorporate the

Colorado Amends Wage Compliance Rules, Revises Recordkeeping Requirements, and Implements New Youth Employment Standards The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has adopted COMPS Order #40, amending administrative regulations implementing the Colorado Wage Act, and released an updated

On February 10, 2026, the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware affirmed a ruling that Delaware courts must examine the reasonableness and scope of restrictive covenants, even when the employer seeks only damages, and not injunctive relief. The ruling is the second in as many weeks from the Delawar

Another Friday Night Surprise: Cal/OSHA Proposes State Analog to Worker Walkaround Rule Consistent with its tradition of dropping surprise regulatory proposals near the end of the day before a holiday weekend, Cal/OSHA published a formal proposal on Friday the 13th, 2026, to promulgate a California

New York Enacts Chapter Amendment to “Trapped at Work Act,” Clarifying Scope, Creating Targeted Exceptions, and Delaying Effective Date On February 13, 2026, Governor Hochul signed the chapter amendment to the Trapped at Work Act, expanding the scope of the Act while setting forth new exceptions. tg

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would vest the agency with discretion to allow additional employee and employer representatives to accompany the inspector during the inspection. A public he

Employers covered by Cal-WARN must now include new information in layoff and closure notices — including access to workforce development and food-assistance...