It is that time of year. You may have noticed some signs of anxiety among your teams. Back to school can be challenging for families as they adjust to new routines and try to navigate conflicts with work schedules. As an employer, there are things you can do to support your working parents.

New Form I-9 Coming August 1st

Since we last visited the laws surrounding marijuana, additional locations have joined the growing list of states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. In the past two years Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and Rhode Island have legalized it for recreational purposes, while Mississippi and Kentucky have approved the legalization of medical marijuana.

Adds Pregnant Definition To Human Rights Act

In a rare unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court rejected the long-standing interpretation of Title VII that an employer may deny a religious accommodation when the requested accommodation would impose more than a de minimis, or trifling, burden on the employer's business.

While it may seem difficult to believe, the midway mark of 2023 is fast approaching, and that means a plethora of new requirements.

In late June and early July alone, more than 30 new employment measures take effect at the federal, state, and local levels. Some of these laws pose new challenges for organizations and include several trending issues.

Below are summarized some of the key topic areas to be on the lookout for on or about July 1, 2023. 

With summer upon us, temperatures are heating up. While some may be planning their next pool party or barbeque, employers should ensure they are taking precautions to protect their employees from heat-related illnesses.

This month is the 60^th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has kicked off a campaign called “ Level The Paying Field ” to commemorate the anniversary.

As we enter the post-COVID era, governmental agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are turning their attention toward Form I-9 compliance. As recently as April 2023, DHS and ICE released updates that will taper off previously granted flexibilities, which will affect the Form I-9 process. Due to these updates and increase in Form I-9 observation, it is important that you revisit your Form I-9 policy and procedures to ensure that your business is staying compliant and proactively preparing for the potential of an I-9 audit.

How do you prepare for an emergency when you don’t know how, when, or what will happen? There are several types of emergencies that can occur in the workplace. To further complicate the issue, workplace emergencies can differ by geographical region or industry. They can include workplace violence/active shooter, terrorism, medical emergencies, power failure, natural disasters/severe weather, and epidemics. No matter what the emergency is, it is the responsibility of employers to have policies and procedures in place for all employees to follow and feel safe in their work environments.