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Recent California Case May Cause Employers to Rethink How They Provide Employees with Suitable Seating
August 25, 2022
Category: Legal Updates
Most California employers understand that they are required to provide suitable seating to employees when the nature of their work reasonably permits the use of seats. However, a California Court only recently opined on specifically what it means to “provide” suitable seating. In July of 2022, in Meda v. AutoZone, an Appellate Court ruled that employers may need to do more than simply have seats available in the workplace.
There are two Georgia employment laws effective this summer that employers should be aware of in reviewing their policies.
D.C. Non-Compete Ban Narrowed by D.C. Council
August 9, 2022 • W. Baker Gerwig, IV
Category: Legal Updates
In December of 2020, the D.C. City Council passed the Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2020, which would have added D.C. to a growing list of states and localities that either completely ban or severely limit the enforcement of non-compete agreements by completely banning non-compete agreements within the District. However, after numerous delays and challenges from the public, the Council followed up with the Non-Compete Clarification Amendment Act of 2022 on July 12, 2022.
Potential Pitfalls in Your Remote Work Policy
July 28, 2022 • Anne-Marie Mizel
Category: Legal Updates
Almost every business uses remote workers these days. But the potential pitfalls of remote work include potential legal liability if care isn’t taken to ensure legal compliance.
The CROWN Act: Protecting Austin Employees from Hair Discrimination
July 8, 2022 • Jordan A. Fishman
Category: Legal Updates
With its implementation of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (“CROWN”) Act in June, the City of Austin joins twelve states who have passed legislation amending the definition of the word “race” to include protections against hair discrimination. As a result, the City Code’s definition of “unlawful employment practice” will include “protective hairstyles,” which means a hairstyle necessitated by, or resulting from, the characteristics of a hair texture or hairstyle commonly associated with race, national origin, ethnicity, or culture, and includes, but is not limited to:
UPDATE: Los Angeles City Council Formally Adopts Hotel Workers Ordinance Today
June 28, 2022
Category: Legal Updates
Earlier today, the Los Angeles City Council voted to skip the November ballot process and instead formally approve the City of Los Angeles Hotel Workers Ordinance (also known as the “Workplace Security, Workload, Wage and Retention Measures for Hotel Workers Initiative Ordinance”).
New Regulations Regarding Tipped Employees in Pennsylvania
June 23, 2022 • Anne-Marie Mizel
Category: Legal Updates
Pennsylvania employers must take note of major changes to Pennsylvania’s regulations regarding tipped employees that will take effect on August 5, 2022. Many of these changes differ from federal law, but must be followed, because the federal Fair Labor Standards Act states that any state law more favorable to employees than the FLSA will take precedence. Key changes are as follows:
Supreme Court Rules California Employee Is Bound By Arbitration Agreement She Signed and Thus, Lacks Standing to Bring Non-individual PAGA Claims Against Her Employer
June 17, 2022 • Shirley A. Gauvin
Category: Legal Updates
On May 15, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the much-anticipated and employer-favorable ruling in Viking River Cruises v. Moriana, holding, in an 8-1 decision, that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preempts the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). The Court’s decision means employees who signed arbitration agreements may not avoid arbitration of their individual PAGA claims. Further, once an employee’s PAGA claim is in arbitration, they have no standing to bring PAGA claims on behalf of other employees in court.
New York will likely become the latest state to enact a “pay transparency” law, which, if passed as written, would require New York employers with four or more employees to include wage scales or salary ranges on any job postings for positions within the state. The bill, Senate Bill S9427, passed the New York State Legislature on June 3, 2022, and now awaits the approval of Governor Kathy Hochul. Senate Bill S9427 follows the passage of a similar New York City law that is set to take effect on November 1, 2022.
San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance
June 13, 2022 • Jordan A. Fishman
Category: Legal Updates
Beginning on July 12, any employer with 20 or more employees who has workers either working in or teleworking out of San Francisco will need to comply with the amended version of the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance (“FFWO”), which may be found here.