Each month, Optimum Employer Solutions gathers the latest updates and changes to federal and state employment law. Read on to learn how these changes may affect you, and how Optimum can help you ensure compliance.
Federal/State Updates
Disability Discrimination Charges Involving Neurodivergence Are Rising, According to EEOC Data
As diagnoses of neurodiversity become more common, employers are facing more disability discrimination complaints from neurodivergent workers, according to recent data from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Read more here.
FBI Warns of Hidden Threats in Remote Hiring: Are North Korean Hackers Your Newest Employees?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently warned employers of increasing security risks from North Korean workers infiltrating U.S. companies by obtaining remote jobs to steal proprietary information and extort money to fund activities of the North Korean government. Companies relying on remote hires face a tricky balancing act between rigorous job applicant vetting procedures and ensuring new processes are compliant with state and federal laws governing automated decision making and background checks or consumer reports. Read more here.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Negates Ruling on Federal Contractor Minimum Wage
On March 28, 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated its previous ruling permitting a $15 per hour minimum wage for federal contractors, shortly after President Donald Trump revoked the Biden administration rule setting that wage rate. Read more here.
Minor Changes to Form I-9 and E-Verify Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made minor changes to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to align with statutory language, and updated the DHS Privacy Notice. The revised Form I-9 with an edition date 01/20/25 and an expiration date 05/31/2027 is now available for download, while multiple previous editions remain valid until their respective expiration dates. Updates will be made in isolved prior to the expiration dates. Read more here.
California
California Employers, Don’t Forget Your Annual Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Responsibilities
Businesses that track the geolocation of individuals—whether for fleet management, sales and promotion, logistics, risk mitigation, or other reasons—should closely monitor the progress of California Assembly Bill 1355 (AB 1355), also known as the California Location Privacy Act. If passed, this bill would impose significant restrictions on the collection and use of geolocation data, requiring many businesses to overhaul their location tracking policies and procedures. Read more here.
Missouri
Missouri’s Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Increase: Legislature, Court Challenges Continue
On Nov. 5, 2024, Missouri voters approved Proposition A, which included a new statewide paid sick leave law and an increase to the minimum wage. The paid sick leave requirement is set to go into effect on May 1, 2025, while the $13.75 per hour minimum wage took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
On March 13, 2025, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill (HB 567) that, if enacted, would repeal the paid sick leave requirement and delay the minimum wage increase. Read more here.
New Jersey
Commissions are ‘Wages’ Under the New Jersey Wage Payment Law, New Jersey Supreme Court Rules
On March 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that “commissions” must be considered “wages” under the New Jersey Wage Payment Law (WPL) and cannot be excluded as “supplementary incentives” because they are tied to the “labor or services” of employees. Read more here.
New Jersey: New Pay Transparency Act Goes into Effect June 1
As of June 1, New Jersey will join a growing number of states requiring pay transparency in job postings. The Pay Transparency Act that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law mandates employers post internal and external job postings, including wage or salary ranges and benefits. Read more here.
Wyoming
Wyoming’s New Non-Compete Law Starts in July: Employers Need to Look at Their Agreements Now
On Mar. 19, 2025, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed Senate Bill 107 into law, fundamentally reshaping the landscape for non-compete agreements in a major legislative move impacting employers across Wyoming. Effective July 1, 2025, the new law significantly restricts how and when employers can use covenants not to compete and makes most traditional non-compete agreements executed on or after the effective date unenforceable. Read more here.
Each month, Optimum Employer Solutions gathers the latest updates and changes to federal and state employment law. Read on to learn how these changes may affect you, and how Optimum can help you ensure compliance. Federal UpdatesDOJ Effectively Pauses Its Civil Rights Division’s Litigation, Which May Impact IER’s Pursuit of New ClaimsThe U.S. Department of…
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The Art Of An Employee Handbook Creating an employee handbook can feel overwhelming for many employers, leading them to include only the most basic policies. However, this approach may not sufficiently inform employees or protect the employer. To better minimize your risks, consider updating your existing employee handbook with comprehensive policies. Last Minute Additions That…
Continue Reading Each month, Optimum Employer Solutions gathers the latest updates and changes to federal and state employment law. Read on to learn how these changes may affect you, and how Optimum can help you ensure compliance. HR QuestionQuestion: How can an employee claim harassment when offensive jokes or other conduct are not directed specifically at them?…
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