Thursday, May 31, 2018

Retailers Back Worker Center Bill
The Retail Industry Leaders Association on Tuesday threw its support behind H.R. 5665 (115), which would require worker centers to register as labor organizations. The centers are non-profit organizations that provide auxiliary services to workers, but business groups view them as de facto labor unions. In a letter to Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.), the bill's sponsor, the trade association contended that worker centers operate outside federal labor law, skirting regulations 

such as regular and fair elections for union leadership, reports to the Department of Labor, and transparency into membership dues and spending.
 
2018 HSA Family Contribution Limit Changed Again
The HSA contribution limit was lowered from $6,900 to $6,850 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act making an inflation adjustment. The IRS is reversing course now for a second time, and the family HSA contribution limit will again be $6,900 for 2018. The IRS cited administrative and financial burdens for allowing the original limitation. More
 
California Enacts New Protections Against National Origin Discrimination
The California Office of Administrative Law recently approved new amendments to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), strengthening the protections afforded to applicants and employees, including individuals who are undocumented, on the basis of their national origin. More
 
Terminating an Employee Arrested for Off-Duty Conduct Could Run Afoul of California Law
In a time when workplace violence seems to be on the rise, many companies have adopted a strict no tolerance policy even for conduct outside the workplace. In California, however, employers need to be cognizant of the protections afforded individuals that may make such terminations riskier than the company may expect. One employer got just such a reminder last week when a California jury returned an $18M verdict against it for terminating an employee after he was arrested for threatening his girlfriend outside of the workplace. More