On June 7, Governor Whitmer signed legislation amending Michigan’s distracted driving law, making it illegal to hold or use an electronic mobile device while driving. The law is effective on June 30, 2023.
The deadline for federal contractors and subcontractors to certify compliance in preparing their affirmative action plans (AAPs) is June 29. Failure to certify AAP compliance increases the risk that contractors will be selected for a future OFCCP enforcement audit.
Governor Whitmer signed into law the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN Act. The CROWN Act amends the definition of “race” in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to clarify that it includes “traits historically associated with race.” These traits include hair texture and “protective hairstyles” like braids, locks, and twists.
Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, issued another memo seeking to secure employer compliance with changes in federal law that she would like to see adopted. In this memo, the General Counsel joins the FTC in targeting non-competes. For the first time ever, the NLRB takes the position that most non-compete agreements—designed to protect against unfair competition—are now unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The flexibility implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic for the completion of I-9 documents will end on July 31, 2023. Employers must now complete a physical document inspection of employee I-9 documents that were previously inspected remotely by August 30, 2023.
The IRS has announced the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts and high deductible health plans for 2024. The annual contribution limits, HDHP minimum deductibles, and HDHP maximum out-of-pocket limits will be increasing. The additional annual catch-up contribution limit (for account holders age 55 and older) will remain the same.
Update: We previously issued a client alert stating that the “outbreak period” will end on June 9, 2023. We are issuing this client alert to reflect that the Department of Labor (“DOL”) and IRS have informally commented that the “outbreak period” will end on July 10, 2023. This is the date that the “outbreak period” was originally expected to end when the Biden Administration announced in January that the national emergency and public health emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic would be ending on May 11, 2023.
Last week the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued an updated Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form. Covered federal contractors and subcontractors are required to use this form to invite applicants, new hires, and current employees to voluntarily self-identify as an individual with a disability.
On April 13, 2023, the Michigan House of Representatives Labor Committee heard testimony on a 16-bill package that, among other things, significantly limits when workers qualify as independent contractors, restricts the use of non-compete clauses, requires employers to disclose employees’ wages, and increases the civil and criminal penalties for wage violations.
The bills are just that – bills. They are not the current law in Michigan, and the House Labor Committee has not yet referred them to the entire House for consideration. However, Democrats in the legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have proven that they will move quickly to enact their sweeping agenda. They already repealed Right to Work, amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and passed gun legislation. Wide-ranging employment reforms could be next.
The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) issues new patents each Tuesday. This past Tuesday, 11 April 2023, was the last day for the USPTO to officially issue patents on paper. Starting next Tuesday, 18 April 2023, all patents will be officially issued electronically. The electronic issued patent will be a PDF that looks […]
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