Florida voters on November 3, 2020, passed Amendment 2, which will, over a period of years, increase Florida’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. The first annual increase was effective September 30, 2021, and increased the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour. Subsequent increases of $1.00 are scheduled to take place each September 30, until the hourly rate reaches $15.00 on September 30, 2026.
California Creates New Issues for Supply Chain Employers
On September 22, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 701 (AB 701), another “first in the nation” law, this time taking aim at perceived health and safety issues applicable to certain warehouse workers. Effective January 1, 2022, the new law, codified in California Labor Code §§ 138.7 and 2100-2112, will regulate covered supply chain employers who meet the definitions for a warehouse distribution center set forth in new California Labor Code § 2100. This includes “General Warehousing Storage;” “Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods;” “Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods;” and “Electronic Shopping and Mail Order Houses.” “Farm Product Warehousing and Storage” facilities are expressly excluded from that list.
Connecticut Restaurant Association Names FordHarrison 2021 “Vendor of the Year”
FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that the Connecticut Restaurant Association has recognized FordHarrison and Hartford, CT Partner Ryan O’Donnell as their 2021 Vendor of the Year. Restaurant owners, operators, chefs, vendors and more will come together to celebrate the success of the industry during the 2021 CRAzies Awards Gala presented by Sysco, LLC at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Monday, December 6.
New Connecticut Employment Laws
As is Connecticut’s tradition, several new laws took effect on October 1, 2021, including a number affecting the employment relationship.
Task Force Guidance Mandates Employees Of Federal Contractors Receive The COVID-19 Vaccine
On September 24, 2021, President Biden’s Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued guidance for federal contractors and subcontractors regarding mandatory COVID-19 workplace safety protocols (“Guidance”).
Possibilities … Endless Possibilities
FordHarrison Accolades & Additions: Third Quarter 2021
FordHarrison LLP is pleased to announce that 53 lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2022 Best Lawyers in America. The list includes attorneys from 17 offices nationwide, recognized in several specialties, including: Arbitration; Commercial Litigation; Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Labor Law – Union; Litigation – Labor & Employment; and Mediation. Some attorneys are named in multiple categories.
Florida Business Required to Report Independent Contractors Effective October 1
Executive Summary: Effective October 1, 2021, Florida businesses will be required to submit new hire information for their independent contractors to the Florida Department of Revenue. This is a significant change for business in Florida as previously reporting of independent contractors by a business was optional.
DIVERSITY IN THE WORKS: Public Accommodation of Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Executive Summary: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits disability discrimination in places of public accommodation, which includes businesses (including transit) that are open to the public – like shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, medical offices, recreational facilities, airlines, etc.
Geetha Adinata Selected to Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2021 Women Worth Watching List
FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Geetha N. Adinata, Partner in the firm’s Los Angeles, CA office and leader of the firm’s business immigration practice, was featured in the 2021 Women Worth Watching Issue of Profiles in Diversity Journal. The prestigious award is in its 20th year and is featured in the publication’s third quarter issue.
Dallas-Based FordHarrison Partner Named 2021 Texas Super Lawyer
FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Rachel Ziolkowski Ullrich has been selected to the 2021 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Workplace Words of Wisdom from Ted Lasso
They got me. I resisted as long as I could. Over the past year, numerous friends told me I should be watching Ted Lasso, extolling the virtues of this new show airing on Apple TV+. I wasn’t interested. Frankly, I’m not big into soccer (sorry to all the soccer fans
Ninth Circuit Partially Reinvigorates California Law Limiting Arbitration
The Ninth Circuit created a judicial “tremor” on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, when it issued a ruling partially tossing out a District Judge’s Order blocking enforcement of a California law barring employers from requiring workers to sign agreements mandating arbitration of certain employment disputes as a condition of employment. In the closely watched matter of U.S. Chamber of Commerce v. Bonta, Ninth Circuit Case No. 20-15291, the Ninth Circuit partially reinvigorated California’s controversial AB 51, which not only imposed the prohibition noted above, but also imposed criminal and civil penalties on employers who attempted to require such agreements of employees.
Executive Order Mandates Federal Contractors to Implement COVID-19 Safety Protocols
On September 9, 2021, President Biden signed a new Executive Order requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to provide adequate COVID-19 safeguards for individuals working on or in connection with a federal government contract. The Executive Order is just one part of the Biden Administration’s extensive and multi-pronged Path Out of the Pandemic COVID Action Plan (“Action Plan”).
Terry Higham Joins FordHarrison’s Los Angeles Office as Partner
FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Terry L. Higham has joined the Los Angeles, CA office as partner.
Social Profiles