Law and the Workplace

Category Archives: Workplace Policies and Procedures

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Connecticut Enacts Salary History Inquiry Law

By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has signed into law a bill that will restrict employers from inquiring about applicants’ salary history during the hiring process.  The law will take effect on January 1, 2019. Under the law, employers will be prohibited from inquiring or directing a third party to inquire about a prospective employee’s wage history, … Continue Reading

Vermont Enacts Salary History Inquiry Law

By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Paying WagesVermont has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law that will prohibit employers from inquiring about, seeking, or requiring salary history information from prospective employees. The law will take effect on July 1, 2018. Under the law, employers and their agents will be prohibited from: inquiring about or seeking information regarding a prospective employee’s … Continue Reading

New Jersey Enacts Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Maryssa Mataras on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) has signed into law the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act (the “Act”), which will provide eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of a family member, or other covered reasons. The Act will take effect on October 29, 2018. Covered Employers and Employees The … Continue Reading

Mayor de Blasio Signs Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act Into Law

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On May 9, 2018, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act (the “Act”), which, as we previously reported, is a package of bills aimed at addressing and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. The signing of the Act triggers the countdown to the effective dates … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: Recent Developments Regarding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

By Harris Mufson and Allan Bloom on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, Harris Mufson and Allan Bloom discuss recent legislative developments in New York regarding sexual harassment. We will discuss recently enacted significant measures, including the prohibition of nondisclosure clauses in settlement agreements, unless the complainant prefers confidentiality, mandatory training requirements and the expansion of the NYS Human Rights Law to nonemployees including contractors, … Continue Reading

New Jersey Governor Signs Sweeping Pay Equity Act Into Law

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Maryssa Mataras on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As anticipated, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law the Diane B. Allen Pay Equity Act (the “Act”).  The Act will take effect on July 1, 2018, giving employers approximately two months to review their policies to ensure compliance. As we previously reported, the Act will, among other things, make it an unlawful … Continue Reading

Westchester County, New York Enacts Salary History Inquiry Law

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Maryssa Mataras on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The Westchester County, NY Board of Legislators has unanimously enacted legislation that will prohibit employers and their agents from relying on, requiring, requesting, or seeking information about a prospective employee’s wage history during the hiring process. The Wage History Anti-Discrimination Law (the “Law”) will become effective on July 9, 2018. The Law amends the Westchester … Continue Reading

New Jersey Legislature Passes New Pay Equity Bill

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Maryssa Mataras on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New Jersey state legislature has passed a new pay equity law which will, among other things, make it an unlawful employment practice to pay employees of any protected class under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) at a lesser rate than other employees who perform “substantially similar work” unless the differential is based … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: Recent Developments in Title VII

By Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Performance Management, Discipline & Termination, The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant discuss the latest developments in Title VII. We will discuss the two recent circuit court decisions concerning the scope of sex discrimination under Title VII, one by the Second Circuit and the other by the Sixth Circuit. In addition, we will highlight some of … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Attorney General Issues Guidance on Updated Pay Equity Law

By Mark W. Batten, Samantha Regenbogen and Laura Franks on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General recently issued guidance on the new amendments to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (“MEPA”), effective July 1, 2018. Although the guidance is extremely detailed and should be reviewed in full, employers should take note of the following details: Coverage The MEPA and amendments are substantial in scope, covering … Continue Reading

Are You Prepared for the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Go Into Effect on April 1?

By Mark W. Batten, Samantha Regenbogen and Laura Franks on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As the April 1, 2018 effective date of the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“MPWFA”) draws near, it is time to ensure that company policies and practices are in compliance with the new law. Within the last few months, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”) has issued interpretative guidance (including initial guidance issued January 23, … Continue Reading

Amendment to New York City Human Rights Law Mandates Employers to Engage in “Cooperative Dialogue” with Employees Seeking an Accommodation

By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson and Bassam Gergi on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Litigation and Arbitration, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New York City Council voted last month to amend the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”) to mandate that covered entities engage in “cooperative dialogue” with those persons who may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation. On January 19, 2018, because the Mayor failed to take action within thirty days of its passage, the … Continue Reading

New EEO-1 Form Put On Hold: Employers Have Until March 31, 2018 To Submit Prior Version Of EEO-1 Form

By Connie Bertram and Guy Brenner on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealKey Points: The OMB has stayed the implementation of the new EEO-1 Form, which added compensation and hours worked components to the annual EEO-1 submission OMB’s decision was based in part on concerns about burdens the new form would place on employers and the questionable utility of the new information requirements Employers who must submit … Continue Reading

Illinois Passes Religious Garb Law Clarifying Religious Protections Under Illinois Human Rights Law

By Steven J. Pearlman and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
On August 11, 2017, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law Public Act 100-100, known as the “Religious Garb Law.”  The law amends the Illinois Human Rights Act (“IHRA”) by clarifying the scope of protection for sincerely held religious beliefs. Specifically, the amendment makes clear that it is a violation of the IHRA for an … Continue Reading

Top Five Proactive Ways for Start-Ups to Avoid HR Nightmares

By Keisha-Ann Gray on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Unless you’ve been under a rock, the fact that many start-ups have recently found themselves on the wrong side of the litigation or threatened litigation “v.” should not surprise you. In fact, it is often the very things that make start-ups so appealing – their laid back culture, open floor plans, no dress code, lack … Continue Reading

What Is Going On With The Revised EEO-1 Form?  Acting EEOC Chair Provides Insight Into Its Status

By Connie Bertram, Guy Brenner and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealAs loyal readers of our blog are aware, in February 2016, the EEOC released a rule to amend the Form EEO-1.  The new rule requires private employers (including federal contractors) with 100 or more employees to submit pay data with their EEO-1 reports.  Employers with fewer than 100 employees will still not need to file … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Becomes Law

By Mark W. Batten and Samantha Regenbogen on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On July 27, 2017 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“MPWFA”), a bill which had unanimously passed in both the House and Senate. As discussed previously, the MPWFA (formerly H. 3816) ensures that pregnant workers or workers with pregnancy-related conditions (such as nursing) receive reasonable accommodations and protection … Continue Reading

U.S. House Committee on Appropriations Votes to Defund Revised Form EEO-1 Requiring Disclosure of Pay Data

By Connie Bertram and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealOn July 13, 2017, the House Committee on Appropriations signaled what could be a devastating blow to the future of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) revised Form EEO-1.  As you may recall, in February 2016, the EEOC released a rule – which was later revised – to amend the Form EEO-1.  The new rule … Continue Reading

Oregon Expands Pay Equity Protections

By Guy Brenner and Amy Blackwood on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Oregon recently enacted the Oregon Equal Pay Act of 2017 (H.B. 2005) (the “Act”). The Act broadly expands Oregon’s existing equal pay protections and imposes new restrictions on Oregon employers’ use of salary histories in recruiting employees and setting compensation. Key Elements of the Act: Currently, Oregon requires only equal pay between “the sexes.” Under … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Senate Passes Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

By Scott Faust and Samantha Regenbogen on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously voted to pass “An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act” (“MPWFA”) in an effort to make sure that pregnant and nursing employees receive the same protections under Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 151B as do other protected classes of employees. The bill, which had previously unanimously passed in the … Continue Reading

[Podcast] The Proskauer Brief: New York City’s New Salary History Law

By Laura Fant and Harris Mufson on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks, The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In the inaugural “The Proskauer Brief” podcast episode, senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant discuss New York City’s new salary history law, noting that employers should be actively taking steps to prepare for October 31, 2017, when the law will go into effect. This law will place significant restrictions on the ability of employers to … Continue Reading

Mayor Signs Into Law New York City Bill Restricting Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Workplace Policies and Procedures
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law a bill that will make it unlawful for employers to inquire into or rely upon job applicants’ wage history during the hiring process, with limited exception.  The law will take effect on October 31, 2017. As we previously reported, the law prohibits employers, employment … Continue Reading
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