With the US House of Representatives passing the so-called Speak Out Act two weeks ago, the measure was presented to the White House yesterday for President Biden’s signature. He is expected to sign the measure. The bipartisan bill, S.4524, passed by the Senate in September, makes pre-dispute non-disclosure agreements unenforceable. Once signed by the President,…
Read More »A few weeks ago, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a new toll-free confidential hotline for reporting sexual harassment at the workplace. The hotline, which will be administered by the New York State Department of Human Rights (NYSDHR), was authorized by legislation signed into law back in March. The hotline (1-800-HARASS-3) went…
Read More »As we turn the calendar today July 1, 2022, are a number of employer obligations become effective around the country that employers need to be aware of. In Maryland, employers of 50 or more workers are required to submit a report to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights regarding any sexual harassment settlements they’ve entered…
Read More »Aside from the increasing municipal and county minimum wages, Chicago recently amended its sexual harassment laws and introduced new requirements effective July 1, 2022 on all employers in the Windy City. The expanded policy requires employers to have a written policy on sexual harassment that includes the following: statement that sexual harassment is illegal in…
Read More »As expected, President Biden last week signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The law, which went into effect immediately upon the President’s signature, amended the Federal Arbitration Act to prohibit mandatory arbitration in sexual assault and harassment cases, thereby allowing victims to bring their dispute…
Read More »Congress has passed legislation invalidating and rendering mandatory arbitration clauses unenforceable in cases relating sexual harassment or sexual assault disputes. With passage, the bill was sent to the White House where President Biden is expected to sign it into law. Once enacted, it will apply to “any dispute or claim that arises or accrues on…
Read More »In case the ongoing unionizing efforts in QSRs wasn’t enough, One Fair Wage, the union advocacy arm of the Restaurants Opportunities Center (ROC) United, has appealed a decision dismissing a lawsuit challenging the validity of the tipped minimum wage to the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th District. In the One Fair Wage,…
Read More »As we get ready to close out the summer months, there are a number of dates approaching where new laws – or changes to existing laws – will become effective that you need to be aware of. We’ve previously advised you that effective September 1, the sexual harassment laws in the state of Texas will…
Read More »Aside from minimum wage increases, the calendar is replete with different changes on a seemingly monthly basis that you need to be aware of. Among these, we would point out that a change in employment law took effect yesterday in the Commonwealth of Virginia imposing a requirement that most employers must now include information in…
Read More »McDonald’s announced Monday that it would sue to recover the severance and stock options that it granted to terminated CEO Steve Easterbrook in 2019. At that time it concluded that he exercised bad judgement only in a relationship with an employee. Evidence later was uncovered that proved he lied and destroyed evidence of more sexual…
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