In the US, the year 2020 along with the new resolutions has brought certain changes in the labor act in different states of the country. There are almost two-dozen changes in the federal and state laws that the employees need to consider. The new laws are mostly favorable for employees. It is, therefore, necessary to know some of the noteworthy changes.
Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Provisions
The new year has brought a sigh of relief for the laborers with the change in overtime provisions. The new employment law has changed the standard salary level from $455 to $684. The rule shall be applicable to employees who earn less than $35,568 per annum. These employees shall be eligible for overtime pay of at least 1.5 times under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many employees, however, are of the view that the overtime pay is not enough to compensate for the 15 non-incremental years. However, almost the new law shall facilitate 1.3 million employees.
California Assembly Bill 5
This new law shall require employers to reclassify their contractors and consider them as employees. These contractors shall then be eligible for health benefits, paid time offs and some other form of compensations. The change in the law shall safeguard gig-economy workers.
New Jersey Salary History Ban Law
The New Jersey’s assembly bill 1094, from the year 2020 shall prohibit the employers from asking the candidates questions related to past salary, wages and benefits received. The new law is expected to promote pay equity.
Nevada Assembly Bill 132
From the year 2020 Nevada has become the first US state to bar employers for discriminating among candidates. The action shall be taken upon such employers if they refuse to hire a candidate for the consumption of marijuana. Employees whose drug test shows positive results for marijuana shall now not be refused the job on the same grounds. The law, however, shall not change for drivers, EMTs, and firefighters whose use of the substance and put the life of people at risk.
Oregon’s Employer Accommodation For Pregnancy Act
The new law shall be applicable to employers with at least six employees to provide reasonable accommodation to the employees with workplace limitations or have a certain medical condition. The medical condition shall, however, be related to pregnancy or childbirth.
California Senate Bill 142
Earlier only lactation accommodations were provided to new mothers. But the new law shall also provide the new moms with private accommodations, places to sit, pump and access to electricity, sink, and refrigerator.
Washington’s Paid Family And Medical Leave
Now the eligible employees in Washington shall be entitled to receive a maximum of 18 weeks paid leave. They shall receive paid leave for family and medical leave.
Conclusion
The New Year 2020 is definitely the year of gifts for the employees of the US. The laws are most favorable for all US employees. It is drafted considering the well-being of the employees. All these laws are applicable from the year 2020 and facilitate the maximum population of the states.
