Jennell Shannon

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The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its technical assistance bulletin and comprehensive COVID-19 resource, titled What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws (available here), calling the additions its “capstone” to the bulletin in light of the recent end to the COVID-19 public health emergency.… Continue Reading

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed into law three bills that create new obligations for Minnesota employers.

First, on May 24, 2023, Governor Walz signed a labor appropriations bill prohibiting the use of covenants not to compete against Minnesota employees and employers, with very limited exceptions involving the sale or dissolution of a business.… Continue Reading

Minnesota employers have 43 days to consider whether they want to beat the clock and enact or update non-compete agreements before July 1, 2023.

This week, the Minnesota legislature passed a labor appropriations bill which, if signed by Governor Walz as expected, will significantly restrict the use of non-compete clauses in employment and independent contractor agreements, as well as nearly any agreement entered into by a Minnesota party.… Continue Reading

The focus remains on the National Labor Relations Board’s (Board or NLRB) ruling in February that asking employees to sign separation agreements with confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses is unlawful.  Most recently, the Board urged the Sixth Circuit to enforce its February 21, 2023 decision in McLaren Macomb and Local 40 RN Staff Council, Office and Professional Employees, International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, which found that the company had violated Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) when it offered a separation agreement to 11 furloughed bargaining members that included a broad non-disparagement provision and a provision treating the agreement as confidential. … Continue Reading

On Monday of last week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the “Paid Leave for All Workers Act” (Act) which establishes a minimum paid leave standard for all workers in Illinois, with the exception of certain railway, construction, and student employees. Starting January 1, 2024, employees who work within the geographical boundaries of the state of Illinois will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked.… Continue Reading

Earlier this month, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act” for the purpose of protecting individuals from discrimination and retaliation in employment, housing, education, and public services/accommodations on the basis of an individual’s natural hairstyle. Specifically, the CROWN Act amends the Minnesota Human Rights Act to provide that discrimination against an individual on the basis of “traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and hair styles such braids, locs, and twists,” is unlawful. … Continue Reading

As of January 1, 2023, all Colorado employers are required to post or otherwise provide employees with the state-issued FAMLI Program notice (available in English and Spanish) and also begin deducting employees’ shares of FAMLI Program premiums from employee paychecks, where applicable.

Under the FAMLI Program, eligible employees may receive up to up to $1,100 in weekly FAMLI Program benefits for eligible leave starting in 2024, and up to 90 percent of the state average weekly wage rate for eligible leave taken thereafter.… Continue Reading