State Employment Law Articles

On August 20, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 3582 , which takes effect on January 1, 2022 and amends the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) in several ways.

On August 28, 2021, Missouri joined a number of other states in extending unpaid leave and reasonable safety accommodations to employees who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, or whose family or household members are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

As we previously reported, on February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA), which, among other things, legalized the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey for adults age 21 and ol

On August 30, 2021, the Colorado Board of Health (the “Board”) adopted an emergency rule, 6 CCR 1101-1, Chapter 2 Part 12 , mandating that all employees, direct contractors, and support staff (“covered employees”) in licensed healthcare settings in Colorado receive their first dose of the COVID-19 v

On August 5, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) adopted a temporary rule on an emergency basis requiring healthcare providers and healthcare staff who work in healthcare settings to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face periodic COVID-19 testing by September 30, 2021.

As wildfire season is well underway, California employers need to be cognizant of the requirements to protect employees who are exposed to the hazards of wildfire smoke. In particular, Cal/OSHA’s wildfire smoke protection regulation (found here) applies whenever: (1) the current Air Quality Index (“

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss COVID-19 workplace mask mandates. You can listen to the podcast here .

On August 18, 2021, New York City amended its law to require contractors and subcontractors to enter into labor peace agreements with labor organizations as a condition to being awarded or renewing a city service contract with NYC agencies. Covered employers must now submit certifications to NYC age

In the past six months, Illinois enacted SB 1480 and SB 1847 , which amended various laws including the Illinois Equal Pay Act (the “Act”).

New York recently passed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“NY HERO Act”), which requires private employers to develop and implement a health and safety plan targeting the spread of future airborne infectious diseases.

On August 26, 2021, the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) approved emergency regulations that institute a broad vaccine mandate for New York healthcare facilities. These emergency regulations supersede and go beyond earlier vaccine directives aim

Beginning September 1, 2021, Texas employers of any size may be sued for sexual harassment in the workplace under legislative changes (SB 45) passed by the Texas legislature. SB 45 also expands liability to include individuals and business entities.

Littler Shareholder and core Privacy Team member Zoe Argento discusses the extensive list of rights the CPRA confers on employees, independent contractors, and job applicants who reside in California. What is the scope of these rights, and what are employers’ obligations when responding to requests?

On August 19, 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (the Commission) issued long-awaited initial rules implementing the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (the Act), which Governor Murphy signed on February 22, 2021. The Act legali

Illinois has amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to make “work authorization status” a protected category. The amendment, Public Act 102-0233 , became effective immediately upon the governor’s signing in early-August. Under the amendment, “work authorization status” is defined as the status of a p

Following on the heels of an executive order by Oregon’s governor requiring full vaccination for teachers, staff and volunteers in K12 schools, the Oregon Health Authority yesterday issued a new rule requiring that healthcare providers and healthcare staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Octobe

With a growing number of employers becoming more comfortable with COVID-19 vaccine mandates, combined with this week’s FDA full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, the California Legislature is now discussing a potential bill that would impose a vaccine mandate or regular testing requirement on all priv

The Illinois Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) has been amended to expand the list of reasons for which job-protected leave is available, among other provisions. The amendments went into effect on August 20, 2021.

It’s no secret that Illinois courts have historically been less than friendly to restrictive covenants, and non-compete agreements in particular. On August 13, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-0358, an amendment to Illinois’ “Freedom to Work Act,” which both codifies existin

Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has expanded mandatory COVID-19 vaccination to additional private industries effective August 30, 2021.