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Employer Resource Institute
Home | Weekly E-Alert Articles | Three New Federal Leave Laws on the . . .
 

Three New Federal Leave Laws on the Horizon
12/09/2009
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There are currently three new federal laws that are poised for approval in 2010. While it is uncertain whether or not each of these laws will ultimately be enacted, California employers are wise to plan ahead for these changes


Make sure you're prepared for the coming year's legal changes by joining us on January 5 for the comprehensive 90-minute webinar, specifically for California employers: What's New for 2010: The Pending State and Federal Legislation, Regs, and Court Cases You Need to Know About.

Register now »

Find out more »


Each of the following prospective bills is currently pending in the U.S. Congress, and if approved, may become law during the coming year:

  • The Healthy Families Act—This bill would require businesses with 15 or more employees to provide up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave each year to all employees. Employees would be legally permitted to use this paid sick leave to recover from routine illness or care for an ill family member, doctor's appointments and other preventative care, and for time spent seeking help and services for victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
  • Family Leave Insurance Act—This bill would establish a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program at both federal and state levels. It will also require employers who are bound by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to join the Program or establish voluntary insurance plans. Among other requirements, voluntary plans would have to provide equal or greater employee rights than the Program, and receive the approval of the Secretary of Labor.
  • Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act—This bill would amend the FMLA to allow employees to take, as additional leave, parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's and grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities, and to clarify that leave may be taken for routine family medical needs and to assist elderly relatives.

Each of these laws could become law individually, or as part of comprehensive family and medical leave legislation, knows as The Balancing Act of 2009. We'll keep you updated on the progress of these significant bills as more information becomes available.


Update: New Mileage Rates Announced for 2010

The IRS has announced the new mileage rates for 2010. Starting Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, or truck will be:

  • 50 cents per mile for business miles driven
  • 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

These rates represent a decrease from last year's, reflecting lower transportation costs generally. For more details, check out IRS Revenue Procedure 2009-54.


Be Ahead of the Curve—Prepare for Coming Legal Changes

This past year was a big one for employment law, with the Department of Labor's FMLA regulations going into effect and employers struggling to sort out just how the ADA Amendments Act altered their responsibilities and expanded workers' rights.

Brace yourself—2010 is stacking up to be another blockbuster year for labor and employment law.

Chatter continues from Washington on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the Paycheck Fairness Act, and courts around the state have been hard at work handing down decisions that affect your obligations.

Add to the mix the Obama Administration's resolve to hammer out a workable solution to the nation's healthcare crisis, as well as the continued uncertainty within California over workers' meal and rest breaks, and employers have the tall task of anticipating where they will need to focus their compliance efforts in 2010 and beyond.

Join us on Jan. 5 for an in-depth, 90-minute interactive webinar all about what to expect in 2010. Our expert—a seasoned California labor and employment attorney—will explain:

  • Which proposed state and federal laws and regulations could affect minimum wage, immigration, overtime, family and medical leave, and more
  • The latest trend in wage-and-hour lawsuits in California, and the best practice strategies for defending compensation-related class actions in 2010 and beyond
  • How the proposed EFCA could make it easier for union leaders to organize or expand
  • The major state and federal court decisions from this past year that could change your employment policies for 2010 and for years to come
  • The practical steps you should take right now to prepare for what's in store

Register now »

Find out more »




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