California: Payroll Service Providers Not Liable for Payroll Violations

APPLIES TO

All Employers with CA Employees

EFFECTIVE

February 7, 2019

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In Goonewardene v. ADP, Inc., the California Supreme Court recently stated that a third-party payroll service provider could not be held liable for errors the service made in issuing paychecks to employees of the company it provides service to.  There, an employee sued both her employer and ADP, its payroll processing service, for wage and hour violations, including failure to provide adequate documentation and records, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and negligence, among others.  The former employee argued that she was a third-party beneficiary of the contract between ADP and her employer, and that ADP had been negligent in providing payroll services for her benefit.

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Indiana: State Supreme Court Sheds Light on Independent Contractor Test for On-Demand Services

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All Employers with IN Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 23, 2019

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(888) 378-2456

In Q.D.-A, Inc. v. Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Supreme Court examined whether or not a large vehicle transportation driver qualified as an independent contractor.  Q.D.-A is a transportation matching service that coordinates independent drivers with manufacturers in order to transport large recreational or non-towable vehicles. Q.D.-A required the driver to attend a two-day training orientation on federal regulations and complete a driving test, but the driver was otherwise able to refuse jobs, work with other competitors, and negotiate his own pay.

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Massachusetts: Denying Lateral Transfer May be Considered Discriminatory

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All Employers with MA Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 29, 2019

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(888) 378-2456

In Yee v. Massachusetts State Police, the state Supreme Judicial Court stated that by not granting Yee, a self-identified Chinese Asian-American, a lateral transfer from one Troop to another in the State Police, while granting the same transfer to Caucasian employees, his employer caused an “adverse employment action.” Specifically, Yee claimed the transfer would have afforded him additional opportunities for compensation for working overtime and on details. The Court stated that an adverse employment action is not limited to denial of a promotion, but includes a material difference in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

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Missouri: LGBTQ Protections Expanded for Sex Stereotyping

APPLIES TO

All Employers with MO Employees

EFFECTIVE

February 26, 2019

QUESTIONS?

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(888) 378-2456

In Lampley v. Missouri Comm’n on Human Rights, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that sex stereotyping can form the basis of a sex discrimination claim under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA). There, an employee claimed he was discriminated against because his behavior and appearance did not evoke sufficient “maleness” for his employer. Although the employee acknowledged he was gay and the MHRA does not protect sexual orientation, the Court stated that “an employee who suffers an adverse employment decision based on sex-based stereotypical attitudes of how [one] should act can support an inference of sex discrimination.” Moreover, “sexual orientation is incidental and irrelevant to sex stereotyping.” Employers must take care to ensure equal treatment of employees, regardless of stereotypes associated with one’s biological sex.

Action Items

  1. Have anti-harassment and discrimination policies reviewed for compliance.
  2. Have employees trained on sexual harassment and discrimination prevention.
  3. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2019 ManagEase

New Jersey: Expanded Family and SAFE Leave and Disability Benefits

APPLIES TO

Certain Employers with NJ Employees

EFFECTIVE

As Indicated

QUESTIONS?

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(888) 378-2456

The New Jersey Governor recently signed legislation to expand the New Jersey Family Leave Act, Temporary Disability Leave Act, and Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act.  The following is a summary of key changes.

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New York, NY: Commission Publishes Enforcement Guide on Hair-Based Race Discrimination

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All Employers with New York, NY Employees

EFFECTIVE

February 18, 2019

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(888) 378-2456

The New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) protects individuals from discrimination based upon hairstyles associated with racial, ethnic, or cultural identities.  In February, the Commission tasked with enforcement of the NYCHRL published guidance on these protections. Specifically, hair-based discrimination is defined as a subset of race discrimination, pointing to historical bans on natural hair or hairstyles typically associated with the Black community (e.g., afros, cornrows, locs, etc.).  Employers should beware of dress and grooming policies that (intentionally or unintentionally) violate this right.  The guidance provides examples of unlawful grooming requirements, including:

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Washington: Employers Have Strict Liability for Employees’ Discriminatory Conduct Toward Non-Employees

APPLIES TO

All Public Accommodation Employers with WA Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 31, 2019

QUESTIONS?

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(888) 378-2456

In Floeting v. Group Health Collective, the Washington Supreme Court stated that employers are strictly liable for discriminatory conduct employees engage in toward non-employees in places of public accommodation, even if the employer did not know about the behavior. Places of public accommodation are defined as all facilities used by the public, such as banks, hotels, restaurants, medical provider’s offices, education facilities, etc.

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March Updates

APPLIES TO

Varies

EFFECTIVE

Varies

QUESTIONS?

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(888) 378-2456

This Short List addresses the following topics:
  1. U.S. Supreme Court Reversed Ninth Circuit Equal Pay Ruling Based on Judge’s Death
  2. Fifth Circuit: Restated Its Position that Title VII Does Not Protect Sexual Orientation
  3. California: Guidance on New Agricultural Overtime Pay Requirements
  4. Alameda, CA: City Minimum Wage Increases to $13.50 in July, Regardless of Employer Size
  5. Florida: Miami Beach Minimum Wage Struck Down
  6. Illinois: $9.25 Minimum Wage by January 2020, With New Possible Penalties
  7. Minneapolis, MN: Minimum Wage Increase Approved
  8. New Jersey: $10 Minimum Wage in July 2019, $15 by 2024
  9. Westchester County, New York: Bans the Box
  10. Portland, Oregon: Prohibits Discrimination Against Atheists and Agnostics
  11. West Virginia: Federal Law Enforcement Pension Freed From State Taxes

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Illinois: Employers Are On the Hook for Any Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act Violation

APPLIES TO

All Employers with IL Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 25, 2019

QUESTIONS?

Contact HR On-Call

(888) 378-2456

In Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the Illinois Supreme Court stated that any time a covered entity fails to comply with the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), even if there is no injury to the person, the person may sue the entity for the violations. Specifically, any time a person’s “legal right is invaded” under BIPA, the person is “aggrieved” and can bring a claim.

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Illinois: Equal Pay, Expense Reimbursement, and Military Leave Updates

APPLIES TO

All Employers with IL Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 1, 2019

QUESTIONS?

Contact HR On-Call

(888) 378-2456

HB 4743 amended the Illinois Equal Pay Act to prohibit paying wages to an African-American employee at a rate less than wage rates paid to non-African-American employees for the same or substantially similar work on jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility, and are performed under similar working conditions, with limited exceptions.

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