In 2020, employers with employees in California were inundated with new compliance requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the leave requirements of the FFCRA have expired, many local agencies are reviewing the supplemental sick leave ordinances that were adopted in 2020.
COVID-19 Leave Arrives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On Dec. 9, 2020, Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto signed a new ordinance granting COVID-19 Sick Time to certain employees working within the City.
California Employers Cannot Forget Local Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Yet
In September, when Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1867, employers hoped that the state-wide COVID-19 Supplemental Leave was a replacement for the patchwork of local ordinances. However, due to differences in coverage, many employers are faced with complying with the more stringent local ordinances.
California’s Governor Signs Several Bills Causing Bold Changes to Employee Leaves
California wrapped up its 2020 Legislative Session with the Governor passing several bills that bring dramatic changes to employee leave requirements.
Amendments to New York City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law Effective
On Sep. 23, 2020, the New York City Council enacted Int. No 2032-A, and Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill on Sep. 28, 2020.
Maine Labor Department Releases Final Rules for Earned Paid Leave Law
As the Jan. 1, 2021, effective date of Maine’s Earned Paid Employee Leave Law approaches, the state Department of Labor (DOL) has promulgated the much-anticipated final regulations for implementing the statute.
Colorado Enacts Legislation Requiring Employers to Provide Employees with Paid Sick Leave
Colorado has enacted the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (SB20-205) (HFWA) to require employers to provide employees with up to six days, or up to 48 hours, of earned paid sick leave.
Changes to Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Became Effective Jul. 1, 2020
On Jul. 1, 2020, a number of substantive changes (including expanded coverage) to Chicago’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (PSLO) became effective.
Summer Break Does Not Necessarily Mean A Break From FFCRA Leave Requirements
Its July. A time when in normal years, schools are closed and families are planning vacations. But in 2020, paid vacation is being replaced with paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), leaving employers asking, can they still do that?
Minnesota Supreme Court Rejects Challenges to Minneapolis Sick and Safe Ordinance
The Minnesota Supreme Court (5-2) has upheld the Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, ruling state law does not preempt the Ordinance, and it can apply to employers who are located outside of the City.
Seattle Enacts Gig Worker Paid Sick & Safe Time Ordinance During COVID-19 Crisis
The Seattle City Council has enacted the Paid Sick and Safe Time for Gig Workers Ordinance, which temporarily provides paid sick and safe time for online-based food delivery network companies and drivers of transportation network companies with 250 or more gig workers worldwide.
Chicago City Council Passes COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance
Chicago’s City Council has passed an ordinance to protect employees from retaliation by their employers if they obey public health orders or orders of a healthcare provider to stay at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance was passed by the City Council on May 20, 2020.
New York State Enacts State-Wide Paid Sick Leave Law
New York State has joined the growing list of states and localities (including New York City and Westchester County) mandating that employers provide paid sick leave to employees.
San Jose Issues Guidance and Opinion Letter Regarding Supplemental COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Soon after San Jose passed its supplemental paid sick leave ordinance to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, it issued further guidance regarding the leave.
Seattle Bans Employers from Requiring Medical Verification for Paid Sick Leave for 60 Days
Under Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) law, an employer normally may require verification (including a doctor’s note) for the use of PSST after three consecutive workdays in which the employee uses paid sick/safe leave.
Judge’s Decision Halts Dallas from Enforcing Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Texas employers no longer must provide paid sick leave to their employees in Dallas following the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Sean D. Jordan.
The Los Angeles City Council Passes Supplemental COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave for Large Employers
On Mar. 27, 2020, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance mandating employers with 500 or more employees nationally offer Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for various COVID-19 related reasons. The ordinance is awaiting Mayor Eric Garcetti’s review and anticipated approval.
DOL Provides Details About Small Employer Exception Under FFCRA
The Department of Labor has been issuing FAQs to try to explain the provisions regarding small employer exceptions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act before it goes into effect on Apr. 1, 2020.
DOL States That Employees on Furlough or Layoff Are Not Eligible for FFCRA Paid Sick Leave or Expanded FMLA
The Department of Labor issued additional FAQs addressing how the paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will apply starting Apr. 1, 2020.
What Employers Should Know About Michigan’s Approach To COVID-19
With 53 presumptive-positive cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as of March 15, Michigan is taking proactive steps to reduce transmission of the virus.