HR for the Holidays
(To the tune of “Jingle Bells”) Dashing to and fro, HR’s work is never done. Holiday parties are not really all that fun. When things have gone too far, paperwork abounds. Promptly investigating claims when mistletoe’s around.
Tag: Employment law
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” Is Problematic (and Isn’t a Real Christmas Song Anyway)
This holiday season, with the #MeToo movement showing no signs of relenting, a new front has opened up in our 21st-century culture wars. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is an Academy Award-winning song that was popularized in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter. Per Wikipedia, at least eight versions of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” were released during […]
District Court Finds Entire ACA Unconstitutional
A federal district court ruled that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional because Congress’ recent repeal of the individual mandate penalty undermined the U.S. Supreme Court’s rationale for upholding the law in 2012.
Washington State Paid Leave Law Begins January 1
The first part of Washington state’s new paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance program begins on January 1, 2019.
January 1, 2019, a Big Day for Oregon’s Equal Pay Act
Key parts of the Oregon Equal Pay Act of 2017 will become effective on January 1, 2019. Part of the law—limits on employers’ right to seek salary history information—took effect in October 2017, and another section—the part giving employees the right to sue under the law and seek enhanced remedies—won’t take effect until 2024, but […]
New California Law Prevents Discrimination Against Reservists
Effective January 1, 2019, California law will extend protections against discrimination in employment to military reservists.
Louisiana State Agencies Face New Sexual Harassment Law
A new Louisiana law taking effect on January 1 requires all state agencies to adopt a sexual harassment policy making clear that unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate sexual conduct creating a hostile work environment are prohibited behaviors.
TV Explores #MeToo Red Flags as EEOC Stings Real-Life Harassers
One year has passed since The New York Times and The New Yorker broke the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal, yet television shows are still weaving #MeToo themes into their storylines. On November 1, 2018, NBC’s comedy series Will and Grace took up the serious topic in the subplot for an episode titled “Grace’s Secret.”
Comment Period Extended Again On NLRB Joint-Employment Rule
Employers and others interested in influencing a new rule on what constitutes joint employment have another month to make their thoughts known on the issue. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced on December 10 that the comment period for the proposed rule was being extended to January 14, 2019.
Arizona’s Small Employers Need to Be Ready for New COBRA-Like Mandate
Arizona employers with fewer than 20 employees need to be ready for a new state law requiring them to offer continuation of health insurance benefits for employees and their dependents. The new law applies to health benefits plans sponsored by small employers that are issued or renewed after December 31, 2018.