On April 25, 2017, OSHA reversed its position that during inspections of non-union workplaces, employees could be represented by anyone selected by the employees, including non-representative outside union agents.
State and local laws protect individuals from discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity. Many jurisdictions—including 20 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 200 cities and counties nationwide—prohibit discrimination.
Last November, Maine voters approved An Act To Legalize Marijuana. Emergency legislation since enacted provides employers with operations in Maine a temporary reprieve from complying with the anti-discrimination provisions of the law until Feb. 1, 2018.
In response to recent presidential directives, the U.S. Department of Labor is taking steps to delay the applicability and effective dates of two rules.
Most state legislatures are back in session, and they are poised to address a wide range of labor and employment issues this year. Since January 1, 2017, more than 500 employment-related bills have been proposed in more than 40 states.
One of the first acts of the new Administration on Inauguration Day was to issue a memorandum putting the brakes—at least temporarily—on federal regulations that have not yet taken effect, and to release an executive order regarding the ACA.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board recently unanimously passed a new General Industry Safety Order entitled “Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care."
The end of the year brings many reasons to celebrate, and the vast majority of employers intend to make merry by hosting a holiday party of some sort. Nonetheless, a holiday party can create unintended negative consequences.
