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.
Archives for September 2, 2024
New Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the UK – Guidance for Employers
Back in June, we highlighted that, from October 26, 2024, all employers in the UK will have a mandatory duty to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the course of their employment.
Revised Poster Requirement in Massachusetts Starting September 16, 2024
The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) has published a revised workers’ compensation Notice to Employees, which Massachusetts employers should use starting September 16, 2024.
Los Angeles Publishes “Model Contract” Under Freelance Workers Protections Ordinance
On August 7, 2024, the City of Los Angeles unveiled its “Model Contract” under the Freelance Workers Protections Ordinance (FWPO). This ordinance, which took effect on July 1, 2023, was designed to bolster protections for freelance workers in Los Angeles.
Ensure Compliance with California Labor Code Section 2775 et seq.
The County of Los Angeles Will Soon Post Notice and Sample Documents to Comply with the County’s Sweeping Fair Chance Ordinance
Starting after Labor Day, employers with jobs located in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles, including work-from-home and hybrid positions, must comply with the County’s fair chance hiring ordinance. The ordinance, which imposes obligations well beyond existing federal and state law, and which extends to con
California Legislation Requires More Transparency from Employers Utilizing Child Labor
Earlier this week, California passed bill AB 3234 with ease in both the State Assembly (77-0) and the Senate (36-0). Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill.
AB 3234 requires employers who have voluntarily subjected their businesses to social compliance audits to post a clear and obvious link to a report that details the findings of their most recent social compliance audit on the website for their business. The report would need to include:
when the audit was conducted (year, month, day, and time, and whether the audit was conducted during the morning or evening shift);
whether the business engages in child labor;
a copy of the business’s written policies and procedures regarding child employees;
whether the business exposes children to any hazardous or unsafe workplace situations that could affect their physical or mental health and development; and
whether children work within or outside regular school hours or during night hours.
The bill defines “social compliance audits” as inspections of any production house, factory, farm or packaging facility of a business to verify that it complies with both social and ethical responsibilities as well as health and safety regulations regarding child labor.
Three Littler Partners Recognized in the 2025 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Canada™
TORONTO (August 29, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labour law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys have been featured in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ in Labour and Employment Law.
The attorneys included in this year’s edition
Illinois Steps Up AI Regulation in Employment: Key Takeaways for Employers
In an era when artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace, Illinois has joined the growing list of states taking legislative action to further regulate the use of AI in employment settings, which follows the May 17, 2024, enactment of more sweeping legislation in Colorado. On August 9, 2024,
Why We Don’t Need To Fear ‘Digital’ Employees
A software company made headlines recently when it announced it would give its “digital” workers official employee records, onboarding and training them just like a human employee.
Workplace pays employees to go on dates with ‘Tinder leave’ initiative
A marketing agency has raised eyebrows with a six-month benefit it recently unveiled to staff.
Young People Are Taking Over the Workplace, and That’s a Problem for Bosses
Chiefs cater to younger workers’ needs and give them advice; ‘nobody told them how to be’
Labor Day a harsh reminder unions turned into the bosses they pretend to dislike
Workers of the world need to unite to stand up against unions, on Labor Day and beyond
The Marshmallow Test and other predictors of success have bias built in, researchers say
Scientists are finding problems with how we measure executive function — a collection of essential human cognitive skills.
Have we forgotten the true meaning of Labor Day?
Labor Day is a U.S. national holiday held the first Monday every September.
About 10,000 Hotel Workers Walk Off the Job on Labor Day Weekend
The union representing the workers, UNITE HERE, has planned a rolling strike for several days in cities like Boston, San Francisco and Seattle after contract negotiations stalled.