Latest from Law and the Workplace
New York State Legalizes Recreational Adult Use of Marijuana
On March 31, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the New York State Cannabis/Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act, which legalized the use of recreational marijuana for individuals ages 21 and older. Among other things, the Act establishes a Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management that will be responsible for regulating … Continue Reading
Business Groups Challenge Biden Administration’s Delay of Trump-era Independent Contractor Rule
In a complaint filed on March 26, 2021, business groups challenged a U.S. Department of Labor March 4, 2021 final rule to delay the effective date of the Trump-era regulation on independent contractor classification. As we previously reported, that Trump-era rule, which was finalized two weeks before President Biden took office, was initially scheduled to … Continue Reading
EEOC Announces Employers Have Until July 19, 2021 to make their 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Submissions
On March 29, 2021, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced data collection for the EEO-1 Component 1 filing will open on April 26, 2021, and employers will have until July 19, 2021 to make their submissions. Because last year’s EEO-1 submission was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are required to make … Continue Reading
Illinois Makes Significant Amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act, Equal Pay Act and Business Corporation Act
On March 23, 2021, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed into law SB1480. As discussed below, the law makes significant changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), the Illinois Equal Pay Act (IEPA) and the Illinois Business Corporation Act, aimed at curtailing employer use of conviction records, imposing new reporting and registration requirements concerning employee demographics … Continue Reading
CDC Provides Guidance for Workplace Vaccination Programs
On March 16, 2021, the CDC issued updated guidance for employers regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace. This guidance focuses on considerations for mandatory vaccination programs, reopening the workplace after employees have been vaccinated, and general best practices regarding vaccinations. Below, we highlight the key aspects of this guidance. Mandating Vaccination Similar to recent guidance … Continue Reading
OSHA Launches New Workplace Safety Initiative and Updated Enforcement Guidance Regarding COVID-19
As we previously reported, on January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order aimed at increasing COVID-19 workplace safety measures at the federal level. In response to President Biden’s directive, OSHA announced on March 12, 2021 the launch of a national emphasis program (“NEP”) to focus its enforcement efforts on employers that put the … Continue Reading
