State Employment Law Articles

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry has released several FAQs clarifying Montana House Bill 702 . The law, which went into effect on May 7, 2021, prohibits employers from mandating the current COVID-19 vaccines1 and recognizes an individual’s vaccination status as a protected category under t

On August 2, 2021, Denver, Colorado Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced that all city employees, as well as private-sector workers in certain “high-risk” settings, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30, 2021. After September 30, unvaccinated individuals covered by this mandate wil

Employers covered by the Duluth, Minnesota Sick and Safe Time ordinance will need to revisit relevant policies in light of amendments that will become effective August 19, 2021.

Starting this month, Louisiana employers with 25 or more employees are required to accommodate pregnant employees and applicants in ways not required under federal law or previous state law.

Westchester County in New York has amended its Co-op Disclosure Law as part of its ongoing efforts to address and eliminate alleged discrimination in cooperative housing purchases.

If an employee is passed over for a promotion due to alleged harassment, does the failure to promote happen when the employer decides to promote someone else or when the successful candidate actually takes on the role?

On August 2, 2021, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued Proclamation Number 137 JBE 2021, reinstating a statewide mask mandate that requires all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks “when indoors, in any place outside of a private residence.”

On July 8, 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill (SB) 208, An Act Making Various Changes to the Labor Laws of North Carolina, which includes changes to the pay notice provisions for employees and payment of final wages to separated employees. The amendments to the North Carolin

On May 24, 2021, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law Senate Bill 267 (Act No. 2021-493), a measure prohibiting state entities and private businesses from requiring individuals to show proof of vaccination in order to receive goods or services. Following “an increase in legal questions related

On July 15, 2021, the California Supreme Court held in Jessica Ferra v. Loews Hollywood Hotel, LLC that Labor Code Section 226.7 requires employers to pay meal and rest period premiums for each workday in which they were not provided a meal or rest period at a rate equivalent to the employee’s regul

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has recognized the ongoing challenges of long-lasting effects from COVID-19 and the devastating and disproportionate impact on people with disabilities.

On July 29, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-38 , combining several existing COVID-19 executive orders for the stated purpose of promoting statewide uniformity and certainty in the state's COVID-19 response.

The pandemic continues to loom large over the California legislature this year, as indicated by the bills advancing through the legislative process. Below is a summary of the major employment law bills that are working their way through the state Assembly and Senate. The bills pertain to the expansi

The mayor of Duluth, Minnesota recently signed File # 21-023-O , which, effective August 19, 2021, broadens covered uses of leave under the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance, and amends employer notice and enforcement provisions. When the amendments take effect:

Maine’s new “ An Act Relating to Fair Chance in Employment ” prohibits employers from requesting an applicant’s criminal history on their initial employment applications. An employer may ask about an applicant’s criminal history during an interview or once the applicant has been determined qualified

In the wake of a 2019 Newsday investigation into alleged discriminatory housing practices of suspected racial steering, there has been a pronounced focus on ways to curb potentially discriminatory housing practices across New York.

The Puerto Rico Department of Labor issued guidelines and a sample protocol early in 2021 for employers on Puerto Rico’s prohibition against workplace bullying, Act 90-2020. Employers have until August 2, 2021, to adopt, implement, and notify their workforce of the required protocol to manage workpl

Registered and authorized patients of medical cannabis in Puerto Rico are considered a protected category for purposes of all employment laws under an amendment to the “Act to Manage the Study, Development and Investigation of Cannabis for Innovation, Applicable Norms and Limitations” signed by Gove

In a lawsuit by a terminated employee claiming former supervisors conspired to target her with negative performance reviews which ultimately resulted in dismissal, the employee now has an easier path to recovery following a recent South Carolina Supreme Court decision.

Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed pay equity legislation (H 5261A, S 0270A) that will go into effect on January 1, 2023. The new legislation amends Rhode Island’s existing pay equity law and contains the following key provisions.