In plowing through these updates and deadlines on OSHA, the IRS and Obamacare, it occurs to us that it may be timely to identify a number of upcoming deadlines and effective dates that may impact some of you and might be very much relevant to your businesses.  Toward that end, and in no particular order . . . menu labeling requirements became effective yesterday, December 1 with strict enforcement to begin in May, 2017.  Colorado employers must afford their employees the opportunity to inspect their personnel files and get a copy of any part of it beginning January 1, 2017.  The “Ban the Box” law becomes effective in Connecticut on January 1, 2017 (it is already effective in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon and Hawaii).  The Illinois’ Child Bereavement Act, which grants employees up to 10 days unpaid leave for the death of a child, becomes effective on January 1 as well.  Furthermore, the minimum wage for employees of federal contractors jumps to $10.20 on January 1 and although the federal court threw out the Department of Labor blacklisting rule for federal contractors, the paycheck transparency provisions of that rule survived and take effect New Year’s Day. We would caution our subscribers that there may be a number of other federal, state or local requirements that may become effective at or around the New Year and you should check with your legal counsel, accountant, or other appropriate professionals to ensure you are in compliance.