Under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (known as the Closing Loopholes Act), as of January 1, 2025, intentional underpayment of employees’ wages and certain benefits will be a criminal offense, with a maximum of 10 years’...more
On November 13, 2023, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi signed Act No. 129-2023, increasing the duration of maternity leave for government employees. The new Act amends various laws that regulate this leave in the public...more
On August 8, 2023, Puerto Rico’s government enacted Act No. 88-2023, known as the “Puerto Rican Military Code of the 21st Century” (“Military Code”). This new law supersedes the previously enacted Military Code of Puerto Rico...more
For the past few years, Puerto Rico’s finances have been supervised by a board designated by the U.S. Government—the Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico (“FOMB”). Its role is to revise and approve the...more
On December 27, 2022, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi signed Act 114 of 2022, known as the “Puerto Rico Fair Internships Act” (Act. 114) into law. Act 114 seeks to offer compensatory protections to students who are part of internship...more
On September 28, 2022, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi signed into law Act No. 82-2022 (Act 82) amending Act No. 17 of April 22, 1988, which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. This amendment expands employment...more
The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR DOH) has issued new Guidelines for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 (Guidelines). These provide updates to previously issued quarantine and isolation guidelines....more
In a recent case issued by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (“the Court”), the Court addressed the standard and level of proof that must be presented by employers when raising as an affirmative defense a corporate...more
4/19/2022
/ Adverse Employment Action ,
Affirmative Defenses ,
Age Discrimination ,
Damages ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Labor Regulations ,
Puerto Rico ,
Reorganizations ,
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ,
Wrongful Termination
As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decrease, on February 13, 2022, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued three news executive orders revising travelers’ declaration requirements, relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and...more
2/18/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Infectious Diseases ,
International Labor Laws ,
International Travel ,
New Guidance ,
Puerto Rico ,
Traveling Employee ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Governor Issues New Executive Order Providing for New Vaccination Mandates -
New Order or Decree -
On November 15, 2021, Puerto Rico’s Governor issued Executive Order No. 2021-075 (EO 2021-075), which integrates prior...more
1/27/2022
/ Arbitration Agreements ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Infectious Diseases ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Reform ,
New Guidance ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Puerto Rico ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
On December 31, 2021, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued Executive Order No. 2021-87 (EO) requiring first responders and certain private sector personnel to receive the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in order to be...more
1/13/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Regulations ,
Popular ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Puerto Rico ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Under the authority delegated by the different executive orders currently in effect, on January 4, 2022, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR DOH) updated its Protocol for COVID-19 Case Management in the Workplace...more
On November 15, 2021, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued Executive Order No. 2021-075 (EO 2021-075), which integrates prior COVID-19-related orders still in effect and, notably, includes vaccine/testing requirements...more
11/16/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Puerto Rico ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Given the recent increase in COVID-19 positivity rates in Puerto Rico, on Thursday, August 5, 2021, Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued Executive Order No. 2020-062, adopting new vaccination measures for different sectors. ...more
8/11/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Contractors ,
Health and Safety ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Puerto Rico ,
Tourism ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety