New Hampshire has joined eight states and the District of Columbia when, on June 24, 2021, the New Hampshire Legislature passed a two-year state budget that includes a paid leave program.
Louisiana to Require Employers to Provide Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnancy
Beginning Aug. 1, 2021, Louisiana employers will be required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who need such accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless it would pose an undue hardship on the employer.
Oregon Temporarily Allows Vaccine Incentives and Hiring Bonuses
The Oregon legislature has temporarily amended Oregon’s Equal Pay Act to allow employers latitude to both encourage COVID-19 vaccinations and to attract new employees as the state emerges from COVID-19 business restrictions.
Minnesota Legislature Amends Lactation Breaks and Pregnancy Accommodation Provisions
As part of the Omnibus Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Bill, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has approved an amendment relating to pregnancy accommodations and barring reducing compensation for lactation breaks, among other changes.
City of Los Angeles Requires Vaccine Leave for Employees Working in the City
California state and some local COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave requirements continue through the summer, and the City of Los Angeles’ mayor issued a public order mandating additional paid leave.
OSHA’s Updated Guidance for COVID-19 in Workplaces
When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rolled out its COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard on June 10, 2021, it also issued its updated Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in non-healthcare workplaces.
Virginia Employers Soon Must Adopt, Provide Accommodation Policies to Employees With Disabilities
Starting on July 1, 2021, most Virginia employers must include information in their employee handbooks about reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and provide that information directly to any employee within 10 days after receiving notice that the employee has a disability.
Nevada Expands Paid Leave Rights for Employees, Including for COVID-19 Vaccination
Nevada has enacted a new law requiring employers to provide additional paid leave to allow employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and clarifying that employees may use existing paid leave to care for themselves and their family members.
Connecticut Enacts Law Providing Employees Unpaid Time Off to Vote
Connecticut Governor Lamont has signed into law a requirement for employers to provide all employees with two hours unpaid time off to vote.
Maine Expands State FMLA to Allow Leave to Care for Serious Health Conditions of Grandchildren
Maine employees will soon be eligible to take protected unpaid leave to care for serious health conditions of their grandchildren. On June 14, 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed into law L.D. 61, an Act to Include Grandparents Under Maine’s Family Medical Leave Laws.
Incentives: From Water Bottles to “Not So Substantial”
For years, the EEOC has waffled about whether incentives were permissible in connection with a medical inquiry under a voluntary wellness program. The EEOC issued its most recent pronouncement on the topic — this time related to incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Montana Makes Vaccination Status a Protected Class
Discrimination based on vaccination status is prohibited under a new Montana law (House Bill 702). Enacted on May 7, 2021, the new law went into effect immediately.
EEOC Updates Its Guidance On Vaccinations
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued additional informal guidance concerning COVID-19 vaccination issues.
For Once, Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Allowing an employee to self-limit duties and not perform an essential function of a position for an extended period of time may give the employee the expectation that they are performing the essential functions of the position. Setting employee expectations is often key to avoiding litigation.
What Does the CDC’s Latest Mask Guidance Mean For Businesses Open to the Public?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or social distance in many settings raises questions for businesses in retail, hospitality and other settings open to the public.
CDC Removes Mask Requirement For Fully Vaccinated In Some Settings
In a surprise move, the CDC followed the lead of the various states that have lifted their masking and physical distancing recommendations. However, the CDC’s new recommendations come with a twist.
Pennsylvania Employees, Organs, and the FMLA
Employee question of the day for HR: “I need time off because I’m donating a kidney.” You’re probably wondering: “How do I respond to this request? Is this incredibly generous employee entitled to protected leave?”
Understanding Time Off From Work Obligations For COVID-19 Vaccinations
Last week, President Biden encouraged employers to pay employees for time off to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and highlighted the tax credits available for employers with less than 500 employees.
Employers Receive Clarification Regarding 2021 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
The COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave statute was signed into law a month ago and employers were faced with uncertainty as to whether their employee’s leave request qualified under the statute. Fortunately, the Labor Commissioner has updated its FAQs to provide further clarity to employers.
Indiana Enacts Pregnancy Accommodations Law, Effective in July 2021
A new Indiana statute sets out the process for pregnant workers to seek a reasonable accommodation from their employers. The new law applies to employers with at least 15 employees. It goes into effect on Jul. 1, 2021.