Just as a woman with a hammer finds a nail, employment lawyers see workplace issues all the time. This past week’s news cycle was a big one and here are some takeaways for your organization:
UKRAINE: Who isn’t with Ukraine? A country brutally invaded, played out in pictures and videos 24/7. Be mindful that support for Ukraine is not a free pass to disparage Russian people or culture. I have also seen reporting with racial bias: they look like us, so civilized, etc. in comparison to the mid-east wars. Remind employees they can support Ukraine without disrespecting others.
STATE OF THE UNION: Not gonna lie, I read it rather than watched. Much faster when looking for nails:
- LGBT Rights: With some states chipping away at LGBT gains, the White House wants to act, specifically by resurrecting The Equality Act. The Act has been passed twice by the House but stalled in the Senate. Would another attempt work? The Equality Act would expand Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to include discrimination prohibition based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- COVID-19 Exit Plan and Back to the Office? Coinciding with the State of the Union, the White House unveiled a sweeping new COVID-19 Plan. The Plan, which requires $30 million of funding from Congress, includes free rapid tests and antiviral pills plus continued development and distribution of vaccines to meet the ever changing virus. Biden also stated that it is time to fill our great downtowns: “People working from home can feel safe to begin to return to the office.” It is a little more complicated than that after two plus years of remote work for many employees but now we know what the White House thinks on that.
- UNIONS: President Biden continues his commitment to organized labor and is once again calling for Congress to pass the PRO Act, which would make union organizing much easier (quick outline here). The White House has also formed a task force on worker organizing and empowerment.
- Higher Minimum Wage and Pay Equity: Hand in glove with worker organizing, President Biden is steadfast in his commitment to a higher minimum wage and wage equity. Many states have higher minimum wages and pay equity laws. At the federal level, Biden called on Congress to raise the 2009 $7.25 hour minimum wage to $15.00 an hour and to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Phew! Looking forward to binging Stranger Things to give the noggin a rest!
Questions? We have fixed fee services to address your workplace needs including: remote/hybrid work; return to work; pay equity audits; employee retention and more. Contact us.