Blog & News: Industry Update

In a historic ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to grant workplace protections to LGBTQ+ individuals today. Until now, 52% of LGBTQ+ workers lived in states that offered no workplace protections.

As the national economy reopens, an unprecedented number of workers will be required to wear face masks in the workplace for the first time. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act), employers must provide a safe work environment for their workers. For many, this will include properly training workers on how to adequately use face masks at work. 

On September 18, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a piece of legislation—AB5—that could potentially reclassify millions of independent contractors as employees and dramatically reshape the future of independent workforces in California and beyond.

The way we work is constantly changing, and that’s due to employee needs and desires. Employees want to be able to have a shopping experience when it comes to their careers. Employees want the freedom to choose where, when, and how they work.

The use of CBD oils has been steadily increasing among many working adults. From anxiety and pain management to weight loss, CBD oils are considered to have many healthful benefits. However, this can pose a bit of a challenge for employers who are unsure how to enforce anti-drug use policies in the workplace.

California is recognized as the first state to pass a law that prohibits employers and schools from discriminating against individuals based on their choice of hairstyles. Called The CROWN Act, which stands for “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair,” was voted into law by a majority vote.

According to SB-1343, by January 1, 2020, 92% of the state’s workforce [roughly 15.5 million workers] will need to have received at least one hour of sexual harassment training for non-management employees; and two hours of training for supervisors. Following the 2020 deadline, these educational thresholds will need to be met again every two years. Here are 7 things HR and compliance professionals need to know about this mandate.

What does SB-1343 change?

Most people assume PEO services are for large companies only. In reality, many small to medium-sized companies find extreme benefits in working with a PEO. According to NAPEO “small businesses that use PEOs grow seven to nine percent faster, have 10 to 14 percent lower employee turnover, and are 50 percent less likely to go out of business."

California's Property Service Workers Protection Act was enacted in July 2018. The law requires all janitorial employers to register with the Labor Commissioner's Office (starting July 1, 2018) and provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training every two years (starting January 1, 2019).

California employers will soon be required to update their employee training procedures once again with the newly-passed Senate Bill 1343 which requires both supervisory employees as well as non-supervisory employees to undergo comprehensive sexual harassment training every two years. The new mandate goes into effect January 1, 2020.