Since July 1, 2020, Virginia has prohibited employers from entering into, enforcing or threatening to enforce non-compete agreements with “low wage employees.” The definition of “low wage employee” periodically changes...more
On Jan. 12, 2024, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a new pay transparency act. The act takes effect on June 30, 2024, and requires D.C. employers to post salary ranges and benefits information for open positions,...more
It is now widely believed that Congress will fail to agree on a continuing resolution to secure short-term funding for the federal government while the Senate and House negotiate appropriations bills for the coming fiscal...more
According to recent studies, 83% of large employers surveyed rely in some form on artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decision-making, and 86% of employers that use AI admit that it is becoming a mainstream technology...more
With congressional leaders and the Biden administration still in negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, unless Congress acts quickly, there is a reasonable likelihood the United States could run out of money to...more
On May 18, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a new technical assistance document titled “Assessing Adverse Impact in Software, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Used in Employment...more
On Nov. 8, 2022, Washington, D.C., voters overwhelmingly approved "Initiative 82," which, once certified and implemented, will eliminate the tip-credit system in D.C. With this new law, D.C. joins the ranks of seven states...more
On July 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require successor contractors to offer employees of predecessor contractors the first right of refusal for employment on...more
On Oct. 1, 2021, the D.C. City Council expanded the local Paid Family Leave law and the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act (D.C. FMLA). The new laws entitle employees to three times as much paid medical leave and a new...more
On July 9, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order aimed at restricting the use of noncompete agreements by private employers.
The order calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to adopt new rules to...more
At a press briefing on July 7, 2021, the White House announced that President Joe Biden plans to issue an executive order aimed at restricting the use of noncompete agreements by private employers....more
On April 27, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) requiring federal contractors performing service, construction or concession contracts to pay a $15 minimum wage to those employees who are working on such...more
As a result of a Washington, D.C., law passed Jan. 13, 2021, certain D.C. employees displaced during the COVID-19 pandemic will gain reinstatement rights as their former positions become available. The law also gives certain...more
In 2018, the District of Columbia passed the Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act to accomplish a number of goals, including the repeal of Initiative No. 77, a referendum that would have eliminated the tip credit system...more
On Aug. 13, 2020, the District of Columbia enacted the Protecting Businesses and Workers from COVID-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. The new law requires D.C. employers to implement social distancing and worker protection...more
Virginia’s regular 2020 legislative session enacted many new laws protecting employee rights. As previously reported, these new laws include adding LGBTQ protections to the state’s anti-discrimination law, combating...more
Virginia temporarily grabbed the media’s attention away from the coronavirus on May 21, 2020 when Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana under state law. While it remains unlawful in...more
On April 27, 2020, the District of Columbia enacted the D.C. Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2020. The new law requires certain D.C. employers to reduce the number of employees who commute into the city by...more
On April 27, 2020, the District of Columbia enacted the Leave to Vote Amendment Act of 2020. Once the D.C. government funds the new law, it will grant all D.C. employees paid leave to vote in person and will grant students a...more
On April 12, 2020, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a series of new employee protection laws related to employee unpaid wage complaints. Notably, the enactment of HB 123 and SB 838, known as the Wage Theft Law, for the...more
In March and April 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam signed multiple bills into law meant to combat worker misclassification. The new legislation creates a private cause of action for misclassified workers, prohibits retaliation...more
Although Virginia’s recent amendments to its Human Rights Act have garnered the most media attention, Gov. Ralph Northam has also signed or proposed amending several other laws that will significantly impact Virginia...more
On April 10, 2020, the District of Columbia passed Act 23-286, the COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment Act of 2020.
Among many other things, the new law amends the D.C. Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act...more
On April 11, 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam signed the Virginia Values Act (VVA), making Virginia the first state in the South to enact comprehensive protections for the LGBTQ community against discrimination in employment,...more
On March 17, 2020, the District of Columbia amended the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act to create a new category of protected leave, called “Declaration of Emergency Leave.” This amendment affects every employer with at...more