State Employment Law Articles

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) recently issued new guidance confirming that private colleges and universities and labor contractors are subject to the newly expanded pay data reporting obligations added as part of the state’s pay transparency law, Senate Bill (SB) 1162, enacted in Sept

By: Court of Appeal Denies Employer Liability for Employees’ Personal Relationship Under FEHA While California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) generally holds employers strictly liable for harassment by a supervisor, a recent decision from the California Court of Appeal establishes an impor

The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced an increase in penalties for workplace safety violations, as well as a renewed focus on specific industries for inspections. The new measures are aimed at improving workplace safety and reducing accidents in the state.

The Florida Legislature recently introduced legislation (Senate Bill (SB) 1718) that would ramp up the penalties imposed on counties and municipalities that “knowingly employ, hire, recruit, or refer, either for herself or himself or on behalf of another, for private or public employment within the

As the health risks of the pandemic wind down, the complexities of offering remote work endure. Some employers are still offering full remote work, while others offer a hybrid to remain competitive and retain employees. Indeed, workers regularly request expect at least a partial remote work schedule

Under two amendments to its law regulating consecutive hours of work for nurses (Labor Law Section 167), New York has established monetary penalties for violations of the law and placed reporting requirements and other restrictions on healthcare employers that require nurses to work beyond their reg

In 2022, Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) drafted permanent workplace safety rules aimed at protecting workers from outdoor heat exposure. On March 21, 2023, L&I filed proposed updates to the rule that would broaden the protections for outdoor workers in Washington. This c

By: California Exempts Certain Airline Cabin Crew from California Meal and Rest Period Mandates On March 23, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 41 providing relief for employers with airline cabin crew employees covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement (CBA) under the Federal Ra

The City of Los Angeles’s Retail Fair Workweek Ordinance , which takes effect April 1, 2023, is not the only local ordinance in the Golden State that affects how retailers and other employers handle scheduling.

The recent seizure and shutdown of two prominent regional banks – Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank – highlights for employers the issues that an unexpected liquidity crisis may bring. And, it’s not just banking institutions that face wage and hour violations after unanticipated liquidity issue

In 2012, Michigan enacted a right-to-work statute that prevented employees from being forced to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. On Friday, March 24, 2023, Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal its right-to-work statute. The repeal will take eff

By: COVID-19 Workplace Rules Linger For California Employers Even Absent a COVID-19 Emergency Effective February 3, 2023 and in place until February 3, 2025, Cal-OSHA’s Non-Emergency Regulations direct all employers to continue to follow certain COVID-19 guidance. As a result, employers should vigil

A $250,000 cap in punitive damages is constitutional, the Georgia Supreme Court has confirmed, upholding the trial court’s decision to substantially reduce a $50 million verdict to $250,000. Taylor v. Devereux Found., Inc . , Nos. S22A1060, S22X1061, 2023 Ga. LEXIS 63 (Mar. 15, 2023).

In this episode, Jen and fellow Shaw Law Group wage-hour guru Megan Donaghey discuss recent court guidance addressing California’s meal period rules.

Lawmakers in Sacramento seek to outright ban criminal background checks by most private sector employers in California in a bill that would scrap California’s existing fair chance law and replace it with the most restrictive fair chance law in the United States. While the sweeping bill’s future is

On March 24, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law legislation repealing Michigan’s right-to-work law for private-sector employees. The legislation had previously passed the Michigan House of Representatives on March 14, 2023, and the Michigan Senate on March 21, 2023. Both bills passed al

Earlier this month, the California Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 public health Order and guidance regarding isolation/quarantine and face-covering recommendations. Here is a link .

With the September 17, 2023 effective date for New York’s new pay range disclosure requirements approaching, state lawmakers recently amended the law to clarify the scope of remote jobs to which the law applies and to relieve certain information retention requirements for employers. On March 3, 2023

Oregon employers with collective bargaining agreements have until March 31, 2023, to begin deducting employee contributions to Paid Leave Oregon, the Paid Leave Oregon Advisory Committee clarified on March 1, 2023.

Utah H.B. 131 prohibits employers from requiring proof of immunity or vaccination status in making employment decisions. There are limited exceptions, including for federal contractors and jobs with certain vaccination requirements under state or federal law. The new law also extends to places of pu