The D.C. Council has adopted legislation that “removes one of the biggest obstacles workers say prevents them from getting the COVID-19 vaccine” by ensuring paid time off for both vaccination and recovery from any side effects. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to sign the “COVID Vaccination Leave Emergency Amendment Act of 2021”
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Massachusetts Extends COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave to April 2022
By Brian E. Lewis on
The temporary COVID-19 Massachusetts emergency paid sick leave (MA EPSL) has been extended through April 1, 2022.
In spring 2021, Massachusetts established a statewide mandate for employers to temporarily provide employees up to 40 hours of MA EPSL when they are unable to work due to specific qualifying reasons related to the pandemic. The law…
How to Handle Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act Leave Periods Spanning Between 2021-2022
By Tanya A. Bovée & Sally Welch St. Onge on
Posted in Leave
Amendments to the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CTFMLA) will go into effect on January 1, 2022, and employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period, instead of the current 16 weeks of leave in a 24-month period. (The amendments also provide that employees may be entitled to two…
New Missouri Law Requires Employers to Provide Leave to Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence
By Karen Glickstein, Jessica Liss & Nina Sykora on
Posted in Leave
Missouri employers with at least 20 employees will soon be obligated to provide leave to victims of domestic or sexual violence under the Victims Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA), signed into law by Governor Mike Parson on August 28, 2021. VESSA also requires employers to provide employees notice of the new law no later…
Texas Legislative Update: What Employers Should Know About the 87th Session
By Kristin L. Bauer & Katrin U. Schatz on
Over its regular and two special sessions, the Texas legislature has passed several bills that are or soon will be in effect and will impact employers’ workplace policies and procedures. Additional special legislative sessions yet may be held and, with them, more changes may be on the horizon. Read more about these developments.
Illinois Amended Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act for Greater Employee Protections
By Jody Kahn Mason on
Posted in Leave
Pittsburgh Expands COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
By Daniel L. Blanchard on
Pittsburgh has joined other American cities by enacting new legislation to address the uptick in COVID-19 cases from a sick leave perspective.
On July 29, 2021, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed a new ordinance granting COVID-19 sick time to certain employees working within the city (the “July 29 Ordinance”). Although the July 29 Ordinance is…
Duluth, Minnesota Adds Permitted Uses, Notice, Enforcement to Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
By Gina K. Janeiro & Hadley M. Simonett on
Posted in Leave, Paid Sick Leave
Employers covered by the Duluth, Minnesota Sick and Safe Time ordinance will need to revisit relevant policies in light of amendments that will become effective August 19, 2021.
The mayor signed File # 21-023-O (which the Duluth City Council unanimously passed on July 19, 2021), amending the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) ordinance to…
IRS Updates FAQs to Include Leave to Accompany Someone to a COVID-19 Vaccination or to Care for Someone for COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Illnesses
By Tania J. Mistretta on
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) extends tax credits available to covered employers who provide qualified sick and family leave wages (within the meaning of ARPA) to their employees between April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its FAQs on the Paid Sick and Paid Family…
Chicago Amends Paid Sick Leave Ordinance to Expand Bases for Leave; Create an Action for Wage Theft
The Chicago City Council amended its Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (PSLO) to clarify and expand the bases to take paid leave and to create a new action for wage theft. The wage theft provisions in the amended PSLO became effective on July 5, 2021, and the paid sick leave amendments will take effect on August…