LA CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15.00 BY 2020

Employment Law & Verdicts, Hiring, Interesting Reading, Job Success, Legislature, Productivity

“The City Council has voted in favor, 14-2, to increase Los Angeles’ minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next five years. The council met at 10 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the proposal, which was unanimously approved on May 13 by its Economic Development Committee. It’s the first of two votes needed to finalize the bill. “Today, help…

New Virginia Law Restricts Employer Access to Employees’ Social Media Accounts

Background Checks, Employment Law & Verdicts, Interesting Reading, Job Success, Legislature, Productivity, Social Media

“Add the Commonwealth of Virginia to the ever-growing list of states (now 19) that have enacted legislation to restrict an employer’s ability to seek access to current employees’ or job applicants’ social media accounts.  Signed into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe on March 23, 2015, the new legislation, H.B. 2081, will take effect on July…

New York City Bans Employers from Considering Consumer Credit

Criminal Background Checks, Discrimination, Employment Law & Verdicts, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Hiring, Interesting Reading, Legislature

“On May 6, 2015, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a bill barring employers in New York City from discriminating against employees and applicants based on their consumer credit histories. The exceptions to this new law are much more limited than the exceptions found in similar laws in other states. New York…

Accommodating Religious Dress in the Workplace

Discrimination, Employment Law & Verdicts, Interesting Reading, Job Success, Legislature, Productivity

“As an employer, you strive to maintain a certain image for the benefit of your small business, while simultaneously accommodating employees in order to promote company morale. But what do you do when an employee’s religious practices conflict with workplace policies? Here’s what you need to know about your legal responsibilities and how you can…

EEOC PUBLISHES PROPOSED RULES ON HOW ADA RELATES TO WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Background Checks, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Interesting Reading, Job Success

“Many employers offer corporate wellness programs to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent disease and reduce healthcare costs. These wellness programs may include, for example, nutrition classes, on-site exercise facilities, weight-loss and smoking-cessation programs, and/or coaching to help employees meet personal fitness goals. On April 16, 2015, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a much-anticipated…

Operations at West Coast Ports Resume Despite Warning of Gridlock

Employment Law & Verdicts, Interesting Reading, Job Success

“Labor negotiations resumed Monday at West Coast ports, including the Port of Oakland, following a weekend shutdown of vessel cargo operations. By mid-Monday, there were 14 container ships anchored in San Francisco Bay and outside the Golden Gate awaiting a marine berth at one of the port’s five terminals. The partial shutdown of port operations…

CONGRESS AND BUSINESS LEADERS DEBATE PASSING THE LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT

Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Law & Verdicts, Hiring, Legislature

“Business leaders testified in Washington D.C. on Wednesday to discuss whether employers should legally be forced to use the federal employment verification system known as E-Verify. By comparing employee information to federal data, E-Verify seeks to prevent employers from hiring illegal immigrants. Now lawmakers and business leaders have gathered to discuss whether the House should…