On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota state legislature passed an omnibus jobs and economic development and labor funding bill that could have serious implications for employers in the state, including a ban on noncompete clauses, paid sick leave, pregnancy and nursing accommodations, and sweeping worker safety protections. The bill is
Archives for May 21, 2023
Beltway Buzz, May 19, 2023
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
H-1B and L-1 Maximum Periods of Stay—A Refresher for Employers on Timelines, Extensions, and Recapture
Employers may find it useful to have an understanding of the H-1B, L-1A, and L-1B maximum periods of stay. As a reminder, H-1B status is granted for certain specialty occupations and fashion models, L-1A status is granted for intracompany transfers of executives and managers, and L-1B status is granted for
The COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Has Ended—But Do the Accommodations Continue?
On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 public health emergency ended, creating uncertainty as to employers’ continued obligation to accommodate employees due to pandemic-related reasons. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sought to address these questions through an update that it issued on May 15, 2023, to its COVID-19
Minnesota Lawmakers Pass Prospective Ban on Noncompete Provisions in Employment
Minnesota is set to ban noncompete provisions in employment contracts as part of a new omnibus bill headed to Governor Tim Walz’s desk. The bill will have a significant impact on Minnesota employers by banning true employment noncompete provisions entered into on or after July 1, 2023, but this bill
Employers Have 30 Days to Reach Compliance after I-9 COVID Flexibilities End on July 31, 2023
On May 4, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) announced that employers have 30 days to reach I-9 compliance after COVID-19 flexibilities end on July 31, 2023. Under this announcement, all employees onboarded using remote verification must have in-person physical verification of
Washington Amends Law to Protect Off-Duty Marijuana Use in 2024
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Governor Inslee signed into law Senate Bill No. 5123, which will protect prospective employees from discrimination in hiring due to their lawful, off-duty use of marijuana. With this law, Washington will join the growing list of states offering some workplace protections to workers who
Florida to Require Employers to Use E-Verify
As of July 1, 2023, all private employers in Florida with 25 or more employees will be required to use E-Verify, the federal government’s database for verifying work authorization. Enforcement of this new E-Verify requirement will begin one year after enactment on July 1, 2024.
These employers also must:
The Public Health Emergency Has Ended; Colorado Employees May Use Public Health Emergency Leave for Three More Weeks
The end of the public health emergency (PHE) began the sunsetting of the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act’s requirement for employers in Colorado to provide PHE leave stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that Colorado employees may use PHE leave through June 8, 2023.
Big Changes to Minnesota’s Employment Laws Are Coming Soon
Omnibus jobs bill expected to be signed into law will entitle covered Minnesota employees to earned sick and safe leave, expand parental leave, ban non-compete agreements and mandatory employer-sponsored meetings, and increase protections for pregnancy and lactation. Many new entitlements will take effect on July 1, 2023.
EEOC Issues Guidance on Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Employment Selection Procedures Under Title VII
EEOC’s nonbinding guidance focuses on an employer’s use of AI in selection procedure decisions such as hiring, promotion, and firing. Guidance addresses potential disparate or adverse impact resulting from the use of such tools and does not address issues of intentional discrimination via the use of AI-driven tools
Minnesota Passes State-Wide Earned Sick and Safe Leave Law
Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Leave Law will entitle covered employees to earn up to 48 hours of paid leave for a variety of purposes per year. The new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2024, will not preempt local paid sick leave ordinances.
The End of COVID-19 Government Regulations in Puerto Rico? Governor Declares the End of the State of Emergency
On May 11, 2023, Puerto Rico Governor Hon. Pedro Pierluisi issued Executive Order No. 2023-012 (“EO 2023-012” or “EO”), through which he declared the end of the state of emergency caused by COVID-19.1 Governor Pierluisi reiterated, however, that the Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health (“PR DOH”) retains
Set These 5 Boundaries Before You Go on Vacation
Firm but professional steps that will let you totally unplug.
This Workplace Stressor Is What Makes Biglaw Associates Hate Their Jobs The Most
Now, let’s find a way to improve associates’ lives and mental health.