In May, 2022, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation that repealed and reenacted certain provisions of Maryland state law relating the anti-discrimination statute. Those provisions all became effective on October 1, 2022. First off, the obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee’s disability has been expanded to include applicants for employment as well.…
Read More »It may seem inconsequential at first blush, but employers must remain diligent in displaying labor law posters and the like as required by federal, state and local governments. Earlier this month, New Jersey adopted new regulations regarding the posting of civil rights notices in places of public accommodation. One change that can be viewed in…
Read More »The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair or CROWN Act continues to win favor with state legislatures across the country and Massachusetts became the latest this week as Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4554 into law on Tuesday. The legislation, which has now been adopted in 18 states around the country, was first…
Read More »The Illinois legislature has unanimously passed an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) clarifying the meaning of “race” discrimination under the law. The amendment, known as the “CROWN Act,” or the “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act”, will update the definition of “race” under the IHRA so that “race”…
Read More »The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) early this week issued a new guidance on employers responsibilities and obligations regarding employees who may be caregivers for children, elderly or other vulnerable individuals relative to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact that it may have had on them and their ability to work. The agency reiterated that…
Read More »Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, who ascended to the corner office when former Governor Gina Raimondo was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under the Biden administration, last week signed legislation mandating equal pay across the Ocean State. The Pay Equity Act prohibits an employer from paying wages to any employees at a rate less…
Read More »Pregnant workers in Arizona will see their civil rights expanded on July 19, when new changes to the Arizona Civil Rights Act take effect. Back in February, Governor Doug Doucey signed House Bill 2045, amending the Arizona Civil Rights Act to mirror existing protections under the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which amended Title…
Read More »As a precursor to passing COVID-19 Relief including the $15 minimum wage as explained above, the US House also last week passed the Equality Bill, for a second time and sent it to the Senate for consideration. The Equality Act, which also passed the House in 2019 but died in the Senate, amends Title VII…
Read More »Concluding a long two-decade endeavor by Ohio business interests, Governor Mike DeWine this week signed House Bill 352 into law in the Buckeye State. The legislation, which has been strongly pushed for years by the defense bar as well as business advocates, reduces the statute of limitation on complaints of discrimination within the workplace. Previously,…
Read More »The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) formally authorized entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with other agencies to improve collaboration and enforcement of federal labor laws. The full complement of 5 EEOC Commissioners (3 republican & 2 democrat members) met publicly, albeit virtually, for the first time in quite a while to discuss and…
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