Labor Law Updates

Ten to 15 years ago, the idea of workers doing their jobs remotely was practically unheard of. Not anymore. In addition to a 50 percent increase in remote jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields in 2018, remote work is on the rise in finance, banking, insurance, healthcare, and real estate.

The federal-level minimum wage hasn’t budged since 2009, remaining at $7.25/hr. a full decade later. On the state level, however, it’s quite a different story. During this time, numerous states and cities have stepped in and passed their own, higher minimum wages. In the past year alone, minimum wage increases took effect in approximately 75 states, cities and counties across the nation. These increases make up the biggest portion of mandatory postings employers must monitor and manage.

When Donald Trump became President, he and the new Republican administration promised a decrease — or even rollback — of federal employment laws and regulations. But has federal deregulation eased the compliance burden? Surprisingly, the answer is no. When federal activity slows, states and cities step in to fill the gaps.

Businesses everywhere struggle to maintain labor law posting compliance. Labor law postings are mandated by both federal and state governments with some states requiring up to 20 posters. It’s not something business owners can just display and forget; postings change regularly. 

Labor law issues continued to make news in 2017, as state and local governments adopted new legislation at a frenzied pace. The new laws resulted in an array of posting changes, with an emphasis on minimum wage and paid sick leave.