It has been almost exactly four years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the American working landscape. Many of us followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through multiple changes and guidance, including from no mask, to mask, to no mask.
CDC Shortens COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines; Potential Impact on New York COVID-19 Paid Leave
On Mar. 1, 2024, the CDC scaled back its guidance regarding COVID-19, most notably ending its recommendation of a five-day quarantine following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Webinar Recording: Results of the 2023 Leave Management Survey
As leave management grows in complexity, so do the questions plaguing absence and disability professionals. If you’ve ever wondered about the leave benefits offered by others in your industry, or … Read More
Webinar Recording: Building an Equitable and Compliant Accommodations Program
New laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), the long-term effects of COVID-19, and numerous other factors are driving an increase in requests for workplace accommodations. A recent survey … Read More
Congress Violated U.S. Constitution When It Passed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Texas Court Rules
Congress improperly passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a federal court in Texas has ruled. State of Texas v. Department of Justice et al., No. 5:23-cv-00034 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 27, 2024). The court permanently enjoined the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Justice from enforcing the PWFA against the State of Texas and its agencies.
Webinar Recording: Through the Lens – The Landscape of PFML
Now that Colorado and Oregon have active paid family and medical leave programs, and with paid family and medical leave becoming a reality in four more states in the coming … Read More
St. Paul Issues New Guidance For Employers Complying with the City’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Continuing the wave of new rules and regulations related to paid leave in Minnesota, on Jan. 8, 2024, the St. Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) issued guidance on its interpretation of St. Paul’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance. St. Paul revised its ESST Ordinance in October 2023 to align with Minnesota’s ESST law, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2024
D.C. Employers Must Comply With Paid Family Leave Notice Requirement
The D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) has issued a new Paid Family Leave notice/poster. This notice must be posted in a “conspicuous place”, such as where the employer posts employment-related information, and must be provided to employees, on or before Feb. 1, 2024.
Guidance Interpreting Minnesota’s New Earned Sick and Safe Time Law
Minnesota’s statewide paid sick and safe leave mandate, the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law, went into effect Jan. 1, 2024. The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has posted answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Guide) that it revised on Dec. 4, 2023.
Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Sick Leave Law Expires
Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law expired on Dec. 31, 2023. As a result, as of Jan. 1, 2024, employers are no longer required to provide additional paid sick leave to employees when they are absent for certain COVID-19 reasons.
Massachusetts Updates Paid Family and Medical Leave Poster, Notice, Contribution and Benefit Amounts
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has released an updated version of its workplace poster for 2024 reflecting the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) contribution and benefit increases that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Webinar Recording: The Managers’ Impact on FMLA/ADA Compliance
Despite an organization’s best intentions, it only takes one untrained manager to cause a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related lawsuit. With new … Read More
City of Pittsburgh to Strictly Enforce Paid Sick Days Ordinance, Investigate Food Service Industry
The City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Equal Protection (OEP) has announced that it will begin strict enforcement and compliance checks for local businesses to ensure they are complying with their obligations under the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act (Ordinance). The “compliance campaign” will focus on the food services industry.
Updated Rates for California EDD Benefits and San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance for 2024
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has released the 2024 Voluntary Plan Employee Contribution and Benefit Rate.
Potential New York City Paid Sick Leave Private Right of Action Looms
On Dec. 20, 2023, the New York City Council passed legislation that would create a private right of action to enforce the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”). If the legislation becomes law, it would allow employees who allege a violation of ESSTA to bring forward a civil action in court, in addition to filing a complaint with the City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”).
Cook County, Illinois, Replaces Earned Sick Leave Ordinance With Paid Leave Ordinance
For Illinois employers, the new year brings a variety of new paid leave laws, the most recent being the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance passed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 14, 2023.
When Will the Ball Drop? Still Waiting on the PWFA Final Regulations
We rang in the new year waiting and watching for the issuance of the EEOC’s final regulations implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) received the text of the final regulations for review on December 27. Assuming that the EEOC’s final regulations clear this review, we expect the regulations to be published in the Federal Register soon.
Q1 2024 Legal Updates
On Jan. 1, 2024, California’s Senate Bill (SB) 616 takes effect, increasing the amount of paid sick leave employers are required to provide to California employees.
Cook County, IL Passes New Paid Leave Ordinance; Releases Related Model Notice
The Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance passed the Cook County Board by a nearly unanimous vote on Dec. 14, 2023. One Board member declined to vote, but the remaining 16 members present voted in favor the proposed legislation.
The City of San Diego Releases Guidance on Compliance with State and Local Paid Sick Leave
On Jan. 1, 2024, California’s Senate Bill (SB) 616 takes effect, increasing the amount of paid sick leave employers are required to provide to California employees.