3 State Labor Law Changes To Prepare For in March 2020
Last week on the Labor Law Blog we looked at 4 things you should know about labor law. Looking ahead, there are labor law changes slated to take effect in the coming months. Let’s look at a few, beginning with the state that has the biggest change so far.
Last week on the Labor Law Blog we looked at 4 things you should know about labor law. Looking ahead, there are labor law changes slated to take effect in the coming months. Let’s look at a few, beginning with the state that has the biggest change so far.
Multi State Minimum Wage Changes: While Congress has not raised the federal minimum wage of $7.25 since July 2009, many states have passed their own minimum wage laws. As a result, they will raise their wages to $15.00, over the next several years, based on yearly cost of living increases or prior approved legislation. The following states will see additional increases in 2020: Connecticut, Nevada, New York, Oregon. and Washington D.C.
Colorado: COMPS Order #36 COMPS stands for “Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards Order.”* Scheduled to take effect, March 16, 2020, this order will replace the current Colorado Minimum Wage Order #35, dated January 1, 2020. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the revised changes:
- Defines who an employee is. The new Wage Oder covers all employees, unless specifically excluded
- Reconsiders exempt/nonexempt employees. For an employee to be exempt from overtime and break rights, s/he must have exempt duties (executive/supervisory, professional, or a few others) and be paid a sufficient salary
- Adds owner & non-profit proprietor exemptions, removing domestic & companion exemptions
- Clarifies various job-specific exemptions
- Clarifies how federal, state, and local wage laws all apply
- Clarifies rest periods, deductions, credits, and charges
- Clarifies overtime pay calculation when pay is not hourly and the ban on reprisals
- Gives more transparency, and language inclusiveness, in wage poster rules
Washington D.C.: Paid Family Medical Leave: A new benefit, beginning in July 2020, will be Paid Family Leave. This benefit will provide eight weeks to bond with a new child, six weeks to care for a family member with a serious health condition and two weeks to care for your own serious health condition.
Others to look for: Several states have pending legislation that could be implemented in the coming year. Labor Law is an important issue that you and your company must always be aware of. Check back with us to stay up to date on any major changes.
*Colorado has released a COMPS Order #36 Poster, that is included on the current National Safety Compliance Colorado State Labor Law Poster.
