FEDERAL
- Executive Order 1365817: Government Contractors -- Minimum wage increases to $10.10 per hour for employees of certain government contractors; increases minimum wage of tipped employees to $4.90 per hour.
- Affordable Care Act's Shared Responsibility Provision--- the ACA's employer "pay-or-play" mandate will apply to larger firms with 100 or more full-time employees.
OSHA Final Rule re 29 C.F.R. part 190418--Expands the types of work-related injuries that must be reported and revises timeliness of reporting obligations.
MISSOURI
Minimum wage increases to $7.65, and tipped employee minimum cash wage increases to $3.83.
ILLINOIS
- HB 570113: Background Checks -- Restricts employers' use of criminal background checks on job applicants unless certain exception exists.
- HB 814: Pregnancy Discrimination-- Prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and requires employers to provide a reasonable accommodation of pregnant employees. Also, Employers are required to include notice and posting requirements, including modifying their employee handbooks.
- HB 4157: Discrimination Prohibitions extended to interns-- Extends sexual harassment and sexual harassment retaliation protections to interns.
- HB 562215: Wage payment Practices---Permits wage payment via payroll debit card if certain requirements met.
KANSAS
No new laws or regulations go into effect on of January 1st.
Employer Lessons: Legal obligations have become increasingly complex so maintaining the status quo with employment guidelines, handbooks and trainings increases litigation risks. It is imperative that all employers maintain and provide up-to-date policies and practices to ensure their compliance obligations are satisfied at the federal and state levels.