State Employment Law Articles

On April 29, 2022, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed S.F. No. 2677 (2022) into law. This law authorizes bonus payments to Minnesotans who worked in frontline sectors during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. This so-called “Hero Pay” law aims to thank eligible frontline workers for their sacrifices

Based on provisional results from the June 7, 2022, election, it appears San Francisco, California voters have approved Proposition G , which will create a permanent 1 public health emergency leave (PHEL) ordinance that will become operative on October 1, 2022.

New York State

On May 25, 2022, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into the law the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, which legalized recreational cannabis. As a result, Rhode Island has joined a small but growing minority of states that extend employment protections to employees who use marijuana during non-worki

On June 7, 2022, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MNDOLI) issued its long-awaited approved employer notice regarding requirements under the Frontline Worker Pay Law.

On Monday, June 6, 2022, the North Carolina Senate voted on third reading to pass a bill that would allow medical cannabis use in the state. Senate Bill 711 received bipartisan support and passed by a vote of 36-7.

Illinois had amended its “One Day Rest in Seven” Act (ODRISA) to impose additional meal period, day of rest, and notice requirements on employers, and to significantly increase the potential civil penalties for violations of the Act (see our article, Illinois Amends ‘One Day Rest in Seven’ Law, With

Executive Summary: On June 3, 2022, an en banc panel (meaning all of the judges on the court participated) of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a landmark decision holding that Title VII does not require employees to demonstrate an “objectively tangible harm.” Chambers v. Distric

By: Reminder: San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance Takes Effect July 12 As a reminder to our readers, the newest amendments to San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance (FFWO) takes effect on July 12th, 2022. As we previously reported , the newest amendments require San Fran

During the final days of its most recent legislative session, the New York State Legislature passed a bill ( S8369B ) that would mandate contractual forms and terms for businesses that use “freelance workers.” Building on New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act (discussed here and

The California Legislature is halfway through the session, and to no surprise, lawmakers are considering several employment-related bills. Of course, nothing is final before Governor Newsom’s signature, but now is a good time to assess what the future may hold.

Currently, in the state of Ohio, in order to obtain a concealed handgun license, which is valid for five years, an Ohio resident must submit an application to the county sheriff, pay an initial $67 fee, pass a background check, and meet the minimum educational requirements, which include completing

As expected, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry recently provided an update regarding the new Frontline Worker Pay Law by distributing a fact sheet and a set of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

On June 2, 2022, the Alameda County Public Health Department announced that face coverings would once again be required in most indoor public settings, including workplaces and offices, effective Friday, June 3, 2022 (the “ Order ”).

With summer weather and wildfire season approaching, Washington employers will have new seasonal workplace safety rules to take into account. On June 1, 2022, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) adopted emergency rules that add to already existing protections for outdoor work

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently extended its determination that a public health emergency exists due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 12, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced the renewal of the public health emergency determinat

The California courts have cast doubt on the legality of laws mandating the number of women and individuals from “underrepresented communities” on the boards of directors of publicly traded corporations based in California.

On May 27, 2022, the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) issued its “Proposed Rules Implementing the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance (as amended).”

The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR DOH) has issued new Guidelines for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 (Guidelines). These provide updates to previously issued quarantine and isolation guidelines.

As of January 1, 2023, Tennessee will require all private employers with at least 35 employees to use E-Verify and maintain E-Verify case results. E-Verify is a federal electronic database intended to aid employers in confirming that the documentation provided by new hires to establish lawful employ