A provision in the enacted state budget for fiscal year 2023 amends the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) to provide employers and employees more flexibility to use other accrued benefits to supplement paid benefits received from the state.
Michigan Court Voids State’s Minimum Wage and Paid Medical Leave Acts
Citing legislative “sleight of hand,” the Michigan Court of Claims has held that the Michigan legislature violated the state’s Constitution when, in 2018, it adopted and then immediately amended ballot initiatives to increase the state’s minimum wage and to require employer-paid sick leave.
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance to Reflect Current State of COVID-19 in the U.S.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, so does the EEOC’s guidance. On July 12, 2022, the EEOC once again updated its COVID-19 guidance: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to reflect the pandemic’s changing state
San Francisco Voters Approved New Public Health Emergency Leave
In June, San Francisco voters passed Proposition G, a new Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance. The ordinance requires private employers to provide paid leave to employees for “public health emergencies.”
Paid Family Leave Grant for Small Employers
California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, which is administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD) provides eligible employees with up to 8 weeks of wage replacement benefits when an employee is off work for certain qualifying reasons.
Second Circuit Issues Decision on Title III Braille Gift Card Appeal
The Second Circuit issued a decision in Calcano, et al. v. Swarovski North America Ltd., et al., affirming dismissal of five consolidated cases brought by visually impaired plaintiffs who alleged various retail defendants must provide braille gift cards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Sick Leave for All New Mexico Employees Begins July 1
The New Mexico Healthy Workplaces Act (“NMHWA”) requires all private employers in New Mexico to provide all employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
Bloomington Becomes the Fourth City in Minnesota to Require Paid Sick and Safe Leave
The City of Bloomington, Minnesota is the latest city in Minnesota to join the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth in enacting an Earned Sick and Safe Leave ordinance (ORDINANCE NO. 2022-31).
Amendments to Puerto Rico 2017 Employment Reform Law
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi has signed into law changes reversing portions of the 2017 employment reform law. House Bill 1244 (HB 1244) rolls back and changes the statutory probationary period, vacation and sick leave accrual, and eligibility for the annual Christmas Bonus, among other requirements.
Illinois Expands Unpaid Child Bereavement Leave to Cover Additional Family Members, Losses
Illinois has enacted amendments to the Child Bereavement Leave Act, expanding the law’s scope and renaming it the Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA).
Delaware Paid Family and Medical Leave Law Signed
On May 10, 2022, Delaware Governor John Carney signed the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which provides up to 12 weeks of leave and benefits to covered employees for certain parental, family caregiving, and medical reasons.
New Paid Family Leave Laws Sprout in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia Region
Both Maryland and Virginia have joined the District of Columbia in enacting laws relating to paid family and medical leave for private-sector workers.
Washington Amends Its Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
The Washington State Legislature has again amended the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Act.
Philadelphia Enacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
On Mar. 10, 2022, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a new ordinance expanding COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) until 2023.
Massachusetts Ends COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program will end on March 15, 2022, the state has announced.
Pittsburgh Issues Important Guidance for Victims of Domestic Violence Protections
Following the passage of a bill that expanded the City’s anti-discrimination law to include employee “status as a victim of domestic violence,” Pittsburgh recently published additional guidance for employers.
Amount of Paid Leave Dramatically Increased Under D.C. Universal Paid Leave Law
Due to a surplus in the District of Columbia’s Universal Paid Leave Fund, the number of weeks of paid leave available to D.C. workers under D.C.’s Universal Paid Leave Act will significantly increase on Jul. 1, 2022.
San Francisco OLSE Updates Guidance Regarding Paid Sick Leave and COVID-19
While many employers are concerned with complying with the recently passed statewide COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, employers should also be aware of the interactions between regular paid sick leave and COVID-19 related absences.
CDC Relaxes Mask Recommendations
In response to requests across the country, and following a number of states who have relaxed or removed their mask requirements, CDC has relaxed its mask recommendations.
Nationwide Injunction on COVID-19 Vaccine for Federal Contractors Applies to Vaccine Requirement Only
The federal court that issued a nationwide injunction of Executive Order (EO) 14042, “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors,” has issued a new Order stating that it enjoined only the vaccine requirement of the EO’s implementing tool: the Safer Federal Taskforce (Safer Taskforce) Guidance.