Compliance Stuff

Employers around the country need to comply with a growing patchwork of laws on fair pay, pay data reporting, and transparency in job ads and the hiring process. Compliance has become increasingly complex as more states and cities pass their own nuanced requirements that vary from location to location, and the stakes are getting higher as the penalties for violations rise. Here’s an overview of key federal, state, and local pay equity trends, as well as practical tips for compliance. Quick Overview of Federal and State Equal Pay Laws Purpose:  The goal of pay equity and transparency laws is to close pay gaps and give employees more information to understand how their compensation compares to their peers and the market, and in turn, more power to correct past inequities based on gender, race, and other characteristics. Themes:  For over sixty years, the federal Equal Pay Act has required equal pay for men and women for substantially equal work. Many states have built on the fe...

Virginia’s new Democratic majority in the General Assembly has sent a slate of legislative reforms to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk that would address a broad range of employment-related subjects in the Commonwealth, including  paid sick leave and paid family medical leave , noncompetition agreements in the healthcare industry, pay equity, minimum wage, and leave protections for women with menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms. 00:00 10:13 Quick Hits Virginia’s General Assembly has passed legislation that would prohibit noncompete agreements for healthcare professionals. HB1 and SB1 would establish a multiyear schedule to increase Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2028, with further adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index starting in 2029. SB258 and SB790 would introduce workplace protections and health insurance coverage for menopause and perimenopause . Prohibiting Healthcare Noncompete Agreements (Senate Bill (SB) 128) Following the  trend ...

  States and cities are as busy as ever passing new workplace regulations throughout the calendar year. Here is our mid-year report summarizing the notable labor and employment laws that take effect from roughly July through October.  Washington Bill / Ordinance / Regulation Main Topic Summary Effective Date Washington Final Rule re Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (WAC 296-123)   Pay Equity Implements statutory amendments to the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act that extend protections to additional protected classes; clarifies and implements the state's pay range disclosure requirements and salary history inquiry prohibition. 7/1/2025 Washington HB 1308   Personnel Files Requires employers to provide a copy of a personnel file to an employee or former employee upon request; defines “personnel file.” 7/27/2025 Washington HB 1395 (SB 5531)   Healthcare Background Checks Requires fingerprint-based background checks for certain long-term care workers in certain circu...