Legal Solutions At Work

On June 26, 2020, the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (“DOJ WHD”) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin providing guidance with respect to the use of leave afforded by the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFRCA”) to care for children due to the closure, for COVID-19 related reasons, of summer camps, summer… More

On July 1, 2020, the District of Columbia increased its minimum wage rate from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour for employees who do not receive gratuities and increased its minimum wage from $4.45 to $5.00 per hour for employees who do receive gratuities. As to the latter, it is very important to remember that the… More

While the much-anticipated increase to Virginia’s minimum wage has been postponed until 2021. This week, Virginia employers will be directly impacted by four new employment laws that went into effect on July 1, 2020. These new laws provide more protections and rights to employees in the areas of employment discrimination, narrow the reach (and use)… More

On July 1, 2020, the Montgomery County Minimum Wage Rate will increase as follows: from $13.00 to $14.00 for large employers with 51 or more employees; from $12.50 to $13.25 for mid-sized employers with 11 to 50 employees; and from $12.50 to $13.00 for small employers with 10 or less employees. Tipped employees must still… More

  On May 15, 2018, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed into law the Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act of 2018 (the “Act”). The Act, which went into effect on October 1, 2018, prohibits employers, regardless of size, from requiring employees enter into mandatory arbitration for sexual harassment or retaliation claims. Additionally, employers with… More

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) has released a notice providing a template for use by employers in communicating to employees the availability of unemployment compensation via letters, emails and text messages.   Employers can find a link to the notice HERE. Contact info: Meredith S. Campbell Chair, Employment and Labor Group,… More

As businesses look toward reopening their doors to staff and customers in the wake of COVID-19, we thought it would be helpful to provide an overview of considerations you should take into account moving forward. Best Practices * Review government guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health… More

Webinar: Guidance for Reopening Your BusinessMay 14, 202012:00 PM ET REGISTER HERE Join us for an upcoming webinar with Merry Campbell and Greg Grant, Chairs of the Shulman Rogers Employment and Labor Law Group. The program will provide valuable information for employers as they contemplate reopening their businesses following the COVID-19 shutdown. Topics will include:Plan AheadKnow the RulesDeliver Clear… More

Last month, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser enacted the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (the “Act”). The Act created a new category of eligibility under the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act (“DCFMLA”), permitting employees to take unpaid “declaration of emergency” leave if they are unable to work as a result of the circumstances… More

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law House Bill 123, amending the Virginia Wage Payment Act to create a private cause of action for employees who are the victim of “wage theft.” This will significantly increase an employer’s liability for failing to fully compensate their employees for all hours worked. Previously, when… More