State Employment Law Articles

Sixteen months ago, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law Senate Bill 3170, which radically expands employers’ advance notice and severance pay obligations under the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act – otherwise known as NJ WARN. Originally scheduled to go into eff

New York employers may need to change their approach to workplace health and safety rules significantly under the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act), signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on May 5, 2021.

On May 11, 2021, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania enacted amendments that immediately strengthen workplace protections for victims of domestic violence. Specifically, File No.

In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, New York and New Jersey have adopted legislation to benefit airport workers. The Healthy Terminals Act in both states will boost wages and access to healthcare for airport workers working at the region’s three major airports—Newark Liberty International,

On May 7, 2021, Montana governor Greg Gianforte signed into law Montana House Bill 702, under which Montana became the first jurisdiction to recognize an individual’s vaccination status as a protected category. The law also prohibits employers from requiring employees to disclose their immunization

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed three bills that make significant changes to Montana’s Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act, Human Rights Act, and Wage Protection Act. Changes to the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act (WDEA)

Like the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Wisconsin law allows hospitality employers to pay certain tipped employees less than the minimum wage with the understanding that the tips they receive will cover the difference. More specifically, Wisconsin law allows employers to claim a tip credit of up

By: New CDC Mask Guidelines May Create Problems for California’s Employers Today’s new CDC guidance that fully vaccinated persons may stop wearing masks and distancing in most settings is a welcome announcement after over a year of the COVID crisis. However, California employers should note that the

The Illinois Employee Sick Leave Act (ESLA) has been amended to require employers to allow employees to take personal sick leave for absences due to “personal care of a covered family member.”

Last week, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) and Cal/OSHA issued new guidance and directives, primarily related to fully vaccinated individuals. Cal/OSHA also FINALLY (whew!) submitted its proposed revised Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) for review later this month.

On May 10, 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 55% of Michiganders had received the first dose of available COVID-19 vaccines, hitting the first milestone of the MI Vacc to Normal Plan . With 55% of residents 16 years and older having received at least their first vaccine dose

In a recent decision and case of first impression, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that a no-hire of employees provision between a business and its vendor was unenforceable because it constituted an unreasonable restraint on trade. This continues a nationwide pushback against restr

California law imposes various requirements on employers who hire minors.

California employers with 5 or more employees that do not already sponsor a qualified retirement plan must enroll their employees in the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program .

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey recently signed House Bill 2067 into law amending Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) Section 13-905, to allow persons convicted of certain criminal offenses the opportunity to set aside a prior conviction and seek a Certificate of Second Chance (Certificate). The law permi

The days may be numbered for Puerto Rico’s 2017 employment reform law. Legislators in the House of Representatives have approved a bill that would repeal or modify parts of the current law.

On May 6, 2021, the Alabama legislature approved a medical marijuana legalization bill. Senate Bill (SB) 46 , more commonly known as the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act, will now go to Governor Kay Ivey for final approval. Governor Ivey has not indicated that she will veto the bill, although

On May 3, 2021, the California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) updated its guidance concerning face coverings and quarantine requirements for “fully vaccinated” people outside of the workplace. (See definition of “fully vaccinated” on the CDPH release).

It is now more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are still looming issues on which California employers must continue to focus in order to maintain compliance and to avoid administrative actions and potential litigation. During this engaging and timely session, Partner and Member of

On November 30, 2020, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, more commonly known as Cal/OSHA, adopted COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) for California. Among other topics, the ETS required that employers develop a written COVID-19 Prevention Program and provid