As sophisticated employers know, an employer must track and comply with developments not only in federal law, but also state and local law. This blog post details key changes in employment laws in the District of Columbia in 2019, as well as upcoming changes in 2020, including changes to paid family leave and minimum wages.
Sexual Harassment
NYC Rolls Out Comprehensive Anti-Sexual Harassment Training
As of April 1, 2019, sexual harassment prevention training has become fully ingrained in both New York State and City law. As noted in past posts, just this past October, the State of New York mandated that all employers in New York State must either adopt or develop a sexual harassment policy that meets…
New Jersey Bans Non-Disclosure Provisions for Claims of Discrimination, Retaliation & Harassment
Recent #MeToo-inspired media attention to workplace sexual harassment claims has caused a number of states to pass employee-friendly legislation intended to help prevent such conduct. On March 18, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy joined the trend, signing into law a bill that, among other things, targets the use of so-called non-disclosure provisions in employment…
The #MeToo Movement Comes to Court
As 2018 draws to a close, it is worth taking a closer look at the increasing legal impact of the #MeToo movement. The chorus of victims’ voices and the media spotlight exposed the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the workplace. As a result, state legislatures passed reform measures to create new laws—from New York’s mandate…
New York State Sexual Harassment Model Policy and Training Requirements Finalized: Employers Get a Welcome Extension to Implement
Earlier this week, the New York Governor’s office finalized materials for New York State employers to implement sexual harassment policies and training. While draft guidance was circulated to the public in August 2018, the finalized policies have some noticeable differences. Of immediate interest is the extension that employers received to implement their first mandatory anti-harassment…
New York State Anti-Sexual Harassment Draft Guidance Released
The State of New York recently issued draft guidance for employers regarding the anti-sexual harassment legislation passed earlier this year. As we previously reported, effective October 9, 2018, all New York employers must either adopt or create a policy that equals or exceeds the State’s model policy and training program. On August 23, 2018,…
NYC Anti-Sexual Harassment Notice and Fact Sheet Released
As we previously reported, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act” (the “Act”) into law earlier this year. The New York City Commission on Human Rights (the “NYCCHR”) has now released additional guidance, including the mandatory fact sheet and notice referenced in the Act.
Effective September…
Maryland’s New Sexual Harassment Law
Maryland recently enacted the Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act of 2018 (the “Act”) with an effective date of October 1, 2018. The Act places two types of obligations on Maryland employers. First, Maryland employers with at least 50 employees will be required to submit survey responses to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights…
New York Increases its Efforts to End Sexual Harassment
Over the past several weeks, New York has gotten serious in its attempt to end sexual harassment. Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act” (“New York City Act” or “Act”) into law, bringing about sweeping changes that will affect all New York City employers.
- Specifically and effective
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#MeToo Movement’s Impact on Nondisclosure Agreements or Clauses Covering Sexual Harassment
Employers and employees entering into separation or settlement agreements have traditionally agreed to nondisclosure clauses that prohibit disclosure of the agreement or the circumstances leading to its execution. Although these clauses have not previously been subject to much controversy and considered to provide valuable closure for employer and employee, the #MeToo movement has generated much…