Law and the Workplace

Category Archives: Workplace Policies and Procedures

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The NYCCHR Issues New Enforcement Guidance on Appearance and Grooming Policies

By Evandro Gigante and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On February 19, 2019, the New York City Commission on Human Rights (“NYCCHR”) issued new enforcement guidance on appearance and grooming policies that ban or restrict naturally curly hair, dreadlocks, braids, cornrows and other hairstyles. Such policies constitute a violation of the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”) because, according to the City Commission, … Continue Reading

New Jersey’s New Paid Family Leave Law Provides Greater Benefits for Employees

By Evandro Gigante, Arielle E. Kobetz and Vanessa P. Avello on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
A new bill seeking to expand paid family leave in New Jersey passed the Senate and Assembly on January 31, 2019, and was signed by Governor Phil Murphy today. The bill makes sweeping changes to the New Jersey Family Leave Act that provides greater benefits for more employees. Following are some highlights of the bill: … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: Can My Employees Bring Animals To Work?

By Harris Mufson and Howard Z. Robbins on Posted in The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, partners Harris Mufson and Howard Robbins continue their “Can My Employees Do That?” series.  In this installment, Harris and Howard discuss the legal requirements regarding service animals in the workplace and provide practical advice for employers to address requests by employees to bring service animals to work. Please … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Releases Draft Regulations For Paid Family and Medical Leave Law

By Mark W. Batten, Samantha Regenbogen and Thomas B. Fiascone on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Leave of absence formOn January 23, 2019, Massachusetts released draft regulations on the Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) Law, signed into law last summer (as previously discussed here) and set to begin taking effect this upcoming July.  The Department of Family and Medical Leave released these draft regulations for public comment only, with the deadline for publication … Continue Reading

Seventh Circuit Limits ADEA Protections for Job Applicants

By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On January 23, 2019, the Seventh Circuit held that the ADEA’s prohibition of disparate impact discrimination do not extend to job applicants. Kleber v. CareFusion Corp., No. 17-cv-1206. In Kleber, a 58-year-old attorney unsuccessfully applied for a General Counsel position within the Company’s law department. The job posting required applicants to have fewer than seven … Continue Reading

Ill. Supreme Court: BIPA Plaintiffs Are Not Required to Show Actual Harm To Have Standing

By Steven J. Pearlman and Edward Young on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
On January 25, 2019, in a closely watched case, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a plaintiff need not allege or demonstrate actual harm to have standing to pursue a claim under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”).  Rosenbach v. Six Flags Ent. Corp., No. 123186.[1] The Court concluded that technical non-compliance with BIPA … Continue Reading

The Employment Law Landscape in 2019

By Evandro Gigante, Arielle E. Kobetz and Tony S. Martinez on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
States across the country have passed new laws addressing sexual harassment, paid family leave, and other labor and employment law issues. As many of these laws will soon become effective, employers should be prepared for the following changes in the legal landscape. Sexual Harassment Laws New York City’s Stop Sexual Harassment Act, effective April 1, … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: Can My Employees Do That?

By Harris Mufson and Howard Z. Robbins on Posted in The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, partners Harris Mufson and Howard Robbins conduct the first part in a series of podcasts entitled, “Can My Employees Do That?” In this installment, Harris and Howard discuss workplace recordings and monitoring workplace emails. Please tune in to hear timely insight regarding these key employment issues. Listen to the podcast.… Continue Reading

New York Paid Family Leave Law: Are You Prepared for 2019?

By Evandro Gigante and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As we approach the New Year, it is important to keep in mind several updates to the New York Paid Family Leave Law (“NYPFLL”) that will become effective January 1, 2019. As we have previously reported, the NYPFLL provides a phased-in system of paid, job protected leave for eligible employees: (i) to care for a … Continue Reading

2019 Brings Employment Law Changes for Illinois Employers

By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Uncategorized, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As 2018 draws to a close, state and local lawmakers in Illinois have been passing legislation that will further regulate a variety of employers’ practices. Here is a look at what Illinois employers can expect in 2019. New Laws Effective January 1, 2019 Employee Reimbursement for Business Expenses – An amendment to the Illinois Wage … Continue Reading

Suffolk County, New York Enacts Salary History Ban

By Evandro Gigante and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The Suffolk County, NY Legislature has unanimously enacted a bill that will prohibit employers and their agents from inquiring about job applicants’ wage or salary history during the hiring process. The Restricting Information on Salaries and Earnings Act (the “RISE Act”) goes into effect on June 30, 2019. The RISE Act amends the Suffolk County … Continue Reading

Illinois Supreme Court To Decide Scope of BIPA

By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
On November 20, 2018, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument on whether a company’s technical violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) is sufficient to confer standing or whether a plaintiff must allege actual harm resulted from the violation. Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. et al., No. 123186. The Court’s forthcoming … Continue Reading

Texas Appellate Court Rules Austin City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance Unconstitutional

By Evandro Gigante, Arielle E. Kobetz and Mark A. Linscott on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Leave of absence formAs we previously reported, in February 2018, the city of Austin, Texas passed a paid sick and safe leave ordinance (the “Ordinance”) that would have required companies to provide paid sick and safe leave to their employees. The Ordinance obligated companies with 15 or more employees to provide eight days of paid leave, and companies … Continue Reading

Amended Rules Issued Under NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Act

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Leave of absence formIn follow up to recent amendments to the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”), the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Labor Policy and Standards (“OLPS”) has amended its official rules, several of which expand upon currently existing rules regarding ESSTA. The OLPS has also issued an updated ESSTA FAQ … Continue Reading

Westchester County, New York Enacts Paid Sick Leave Law

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Leave of absence formWestchester County, NY has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law providing eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of a family member, or other covered reasons. The Ordinance will take effect on March 30, 2019. Covered Employees and Accrual of Sick Leave Similar to the New York City Earned … Continue Reading

New York State Releases Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Videos

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As we have previously reported, New York State has recently enacted several significant measures regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Effective October 9, 2018, all New York State employers are required to adopt written sexual harassment prevention policies and institute annual anti-harassment training for employees. According to the final guidance issued by the State, all … Continue Reading

NYC Council Passes Bills Expanding Lactation Room Requirements for Employers

By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New York City Council recently passed two bills that would amend the NYC Human Rights Law to expand the requirements of employers with four or more employees to provide lactation space for breastfeeding employees.  The bills have been sent to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is expected to sign them, for consideration.  If enacted, … Continue Reading

Mandatory Employee Notice Issued for New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Leave of absence formThe New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (the “Department”) has issued a mandatory employee notice regarding the NJ Earned Sick Leave Law, which goes into effect on October 29, 2018.  As we have previously reported, the Law will require employers to provide eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those … Continue Reading

New York City “Cooperative Dialogue” Law for Employees Seeking Reasonable Accommodation Takes Effect October 15

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Supervisor and colleague discussionNew York City’s new law requiring employers to engage in a “cooperative dialogue” with employees requesting reasonable accommodation and provide a written determination at the end of the cooperative dialogue process takes effect on October 15, 2018. As we have previously reported, while the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) has long required that … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: New York State Anti-Harassment Law

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Workplace Policies and Procedures
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, partner Evandro Gigante and associate Laura Fant discuss recent amendments to New York State law prohibiting sexual harassment.  The law will require employers to distribute policies prohibiting sexual harassment in the work place and implement annual training on sexual harassment.  These policies, which much be distributed by October 9, 2018, … Continue Reading

New York State Issues Final Guidance on Sexual Harassment Policy and Training Requirements In Advance of October 9 Effective Date

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant, Daryl Leon and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
As we have previously reported,  New York State has enacted several significant measures regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Effective October 9, 2018, all New York State employers are required to adopt written sexual harassment prevention policies and institute annual anti-harassment training for employees (see below for more details on specific requirements and deadlines).  After … Continue Reading

Proskauer Delivers #MeToo Webinar With EEOC Commissioner Feldblum

By Steven J. Pearlman and Danielle J. Moss on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealOn September 5th, Proskauer partner Steve Pearlman had the honor of delivering a webinar with EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum, which Proskauer senior associate Danielle Moss moderated.  Commissioner Feldblum is the co-author of the EEOC’s report on rebooting harassment prevention. The webinar focused on how the #MeToo movement has impacted workplace dynamics and discussed innovative solutions … Continue Reading

Proposed Rules Issued for New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Maryssa Mataras on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Leaves of Absences, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has issued proposed rules for the recently enacted New Jersey paid sick leave act (the “Act”), which will take effect on October 29, 2018. The proposed rules will be subject to a 60-day public comment period. As we have previously reported, the Act will require employers … Continue Reading

Illinois Expands Workplace Protections for Breastfeeding Employees

By Steven J. Pearlman and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Governor Bruce Rauner has signed into law a bill that expands protections for employees needing to express breast milk in the workplace.  The law amends the preexisting Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (the “Act”) in several significant ways—most notably that break time provided for the expression of milk “may not reduce an employee’s compensation” … Continue Reading
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