Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continued its efforts to effectuate a strong national labor policy focused on advancing the organizational rights of workers and encouraging collective bargaining. Three recent decisions take aim at enhancing available remedies in unfair labor practice cases and facilitating organizing among smaller bargaining units.
Continue reading “Busy Before the New Year: Three Recent NLRB Decisions That Will Impact Employers”
Employers with a presence in Mexico should be aware of a recent change in Mexican employment law. Effective as of January 1, 2023, employees in Mexico will be entitled to more vacation days.
Employees with one to five years of seniority will enjoy six more days of vacation entitlement. Currently, the vacation entitlement for employees with one, two, three, four and five years of seniority is six, eight, 10, 12 and 14 days, respectively. The new legislation will require employers to raise those vacation-day tallies to 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 days, respectively.
In 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed many laws impacting California employers. Some of the new laws became effective immediately and others, including some that were signed into law just weeks ago, take effect January 1, 2023, or later. These new laws address several topics, including supplemental paid sick leave, pay transparency, leaves of absence and fast-food restaurant employment standards.
As a reminder, the minimum wage in California is increasing to $15.50 per hour on January 1, 2023, for all employers — regardless of the number of workers employed by an employer. Also, many cities and local governments in California have enacted minimum wage ordinances exceeding the state minimum wage.
Continue reading “New California Laws for 2023 and Beyond: What Employers Should Know”
On September 15, 2022, railroad companies and unions representing railway workers reached a tentative agreement to potentially prevent a strike that would have caused significant harm to the American supply chain and economy. While the unions’ membership must still ratify the agreement, the unions agreed not to strike during that process. Ratification votes will occur over the next 45 to 60 days. If any union does not ratify the agreement, then it may have the right to strike.
Continue reading “What All Employers Can Learn From Most Recent Railway Dispute”
On July 13, 2022, Maryland’s Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, held that state wage law claims for certain travel pay survive summary judgment despite the fact that such payments are not required under the federal Portal-To-Portal Act (PPA or the Act). The Court of Appeals interprets Maryland law as requiring wage payments for time spent waiting and traveling to a worksite if the waiting site is considered a prescribed workplace.
Continue reading “Maryland Court of Appeals Holds State Law Wage Claims Despite Federal Wage Law”
In wake of recent legislation aimed at increasing employee rights and safeguards, the Pennsylvania legislature has promulgated new wage and hour regulations restricting employers and providing greater protections for employees. The new wage and hour regulations are effective on August 5, 2022. The new regulations impact two categories of employees: (1) tipped employees; and (2) salaried employees with a fluctuating workweek schedule.