It is safe to say that spring 2020 will not soon be forgotten. While the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the news and the attention of federal and state governments alike, the Maryland General Assembly passed several new laws affecting the workplace.
Maryland recently enacted amendments to its Economic Stabilization Act to require that an employer implementing a “reduction in operations” must provide 60 days’ advance notice and continuation of certain benefits.
Two new City of Los Angeles ordinances that the mayor signed into law on May 4, 2020 will force employers in certain industries to rehire laid off or furloughed employees in a specified manner, rather than at the employer’s discretion.
On May 7, 2020, the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it will not collect Form EEO-1 workplace demographic data for calendar year 2019 this year.
The DOL recently issued new guidance to states on the Short-Time Compensation (STC) program provisions (also known as “work sharing” or “shared work”) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (CARES Act).
Wrapped up in the pending NYC Essential Workers Bill of Rights is legislation that would expand the city’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Act to cover many workers currently classified as independent contractors.
Ahead of a second round of lending, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that businesses applying for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) must consider other sources of liquidity before certifying that they need a PPP loan.
On April 22, 2020, during a special legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly voted to approve Governor Ralph Northam’s proposed amendment to a bill that will increase the Commonwealth’s minimum wage to $12.00 per hour by January 1, 2023.
