2017 Labor & Employment Laws: New Year, New Government, New Challenges

[McFurd]

Littler - 12/5/2016 - ILyse Schuman, Michael J. Lotito, and Sebastian Chilco On January 1, 2017, employers across the nation will face a host of new or amended federal, state, and/or local labor and employment requirements. At the same time, there is uncertainty as to how the Trump Administration and Congress may alter those federal obligations.1 With Congress gridlocked for much of the 2016 election year, the most significant labor and employment legislation and regulations were enacted at the state and municipal levels. Multiple states approved minimum wage increases, with built-in multi-year increases and annual adjustments. Marijuana liberalization – medical and recreational – occurred throughout the country.2 Although only a handful of equal pay measures were enacted in 2016, Massachusetts garnered significant media coverage when it imposed limits on inquiries about applicants’ prior salaries, continuing a slow but steady pay equity trend. New statewide paid sick leave measures were enacted, and numerous states expanded coverage or available rights under existing leave laws. The biggest compliance hurdle for multi-state and national employers – or even companies with statewide operations – may be simply keeping abreast of local law developments. read more @ https://www.littler.com/publication-pre ... challenges