California law already prohibits employers from taking certain employment actions against an employee for refusing to work in some circumstances where there is a real or apparent safety hazard to the employee or other employees. On September 29, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2568, which extends that protection to
Archives for October 1, 2020
Governor Signs Legislation Requiring Provision and Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Employees Due to Covid-19
On September 29, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2537, which significantly expands upon employers’ existing baseline obligations for providing a safe and healthful work environment. The new bill creates specific requirements regarding general acute care hospitals’ distribution and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Its purpose is to protect
Judge Stops USCIS Fee Rule from Going into Effect
A federal judge in California has enjoined the USCIS’ new fee rule just a little more than a day before petitions and applications had to be postmarked.
Judge Jeffrey S. White’s decision in Immigrant Legal Resource Center v. Wolf was based on a finding that Chad Wolf’s appointment to the position
Dear Littler: What are our voting leave obligations?
Dear Littler: We are a nationwide company with some employees working at our brick-and-mortar locations and some employees working remotely due to the pandemic. With the election coming up, employees in various states are asking about time off to vote. I thought everyone was voting by mail this year?
New Law Mandates Training for Human Resources Employees and Others Pertaining to Child Abuse and Neglect
On September 29, 2020, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 1963 which amends Section 11165.7 of the Penal Code, relating to mandated reporters of child abuse.
The existing law, the Child Abuse, and Neglect Reporting Act, requires a mandated reporter, as defined, to report whenever they, in their professional capacity or
The Future of Diversity and Inclusion Training: The OMB Memo Prohibiting Certain Training in the Federal Government
On September 4, 2020, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), issued an agency-wide memo regarding diversity and inclusion training in the federal workforce.
USCIS to Resume Implementing Public Charge Rule Nationwide
On September 22, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its website to indicate that it would resume implementing the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (often referred to as the “public charge rule”) on a nationwide basis. The updated policy follows a series of recent federal court
Connecticut Employers: Now Is the Time to Get Ready for Paid Family and Medical Leave
Connecticut employers need to start their preparations for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), a law that requires all private employers with Connecticut employees to provide paid leave to eligible employees. The Connecticut Paid Leave (CTPL) program, established by the PFMLA, is set to begin in just a
Florida Enters Phase 3, Reopens Bars and Restaurants
On September 25, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s entry into Phase 3 of its coronavirus pandemic reopening plan and issued Executive Order 20-244.
AB 979 Requires California-Based Publicly Held Corporations to Diversify Their Boards of Directors
On September 30, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (“AB”) 979, which requires publicly held corporations headquartered in California to diversify their boards of directors with directors from “underrepresented communities” by December 31, 2021. This bill is similar to Senate Bill 826, signed into law in 2018, which required publicly
Federal Court Holds Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act Provides Private Right of Action
A Pennsylvania federal court refused to dismiss an employee’s claim for violation of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (MMA), reasoning that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is likely to recognize a private cause of action under the MMA. Hudnell v. Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc., Civil Action No. 20-01621 (E.D. Pa. Sept.