Sessions

With the understandable focus on the 2016 Presidential election, HR should not lose sight of the fact that much of the legal action relative to the employer-employee relationship is at the state and local level. That is not likely to change. Indeed, if there is less “activism” at the federal level, we actually may see more activity at the state and local level. It is not a blue versus red state issue. Indeed, some of the more ‘pro-employee’ developments have been in ruby-red states or local jurisdictions in those states. This session will focus on recent legal developments at the state and local levels with an emphasis on trends and how HR not only can comply with them but also anticipate them in their development and implementation of policies and practices. Particular attention also will be paid to the difficulties faced by multi-jurisdictional employers and practical ways to address them. Substantive areas of focus will include:

• Mandated paid time off
• Mandated leave laws
• Gender pay equality
• Expanding groups protected against discrimination
• Ban the Box and other restrictions on criminal records checks
• Minimum wage increases
• Medical marijuana
• Predictable schedules