On December 4, 2015, three federal agencies published final rules implementing the Executive Order establishing a minimum wage for contractors, and finalizing a statutory pilot program to enhance whistleblower protections for contractor employees.
Last month, President Obama announced a new mandate to the federal government's human resources department to "delay inquiries into criminal history until later in the hiring process."
On November 25, 2015, Portland’s City Council unanimously passed new rules that will significantly affect an employer’s ability to obtain and use criminal history information in the hiring process.
With the new year less than one month away, the compliance countdown for new laws has begun. Limited time remains in 2015 for employers to ensure policies and practices are developed or revised to meet 2016 obligations.
The safe harbor period for complying with the Massachusetts earned sick time law is now drawing to an end. Employers must ensure their paid time off policies are fully compliant with the law by January 1, 2016.
On 16 November 2015, Germany's Federal Minister of Labour introduced draft legislation to reform temporary employment and contracts for work and labour.
On November 19, 2015, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its annual Performance and Accountability Report (PAR), which highlights key EEOC developments over the past fiscal year, ending September 30, 2015.