Standards

California Enacts Groundbreaking Employment Laws: New Protections and Employer Standards Introduced by Governor Newsom

by

Sacramento, Calif. — In a significant wrap-up to their legislative session, California lawmakers, under the guidance of Governor Gavin Newsom, have enacted a slew of employment-related laws that usher in sweeping protections and rights for workers in various aspects of employment law. One landmark legislation coming out of this session is Senate Bill 1137, which positions California as the first state to formally acknowledge “intersectionality” in statutory language. This term, essential in understanding overlapping forms of discrimination, now offers explicit protection against workplace discrimination based on the combined presence of characteristics such as race, sex, … Read more

$462 Million Verdict Against Wabash in Fatal Missouri Crash Raises Questions on Trailer Safety Standards

by

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In a landmark decision, a Missouri jury on Thursday awarded $462 million in damages to the families of two men killed in a 2019 accident involving a Volkswagen and a tractor-trailer manufactured by Wabash. The massive award stems from allegations that the trailer’s rear-impact guard failed during the incident on Interstate 44/55, resulting in fatalities of the driver, Taron Tailor, 30, and his passenger, Nicholas Perkins. The case, which highlights concerns over the safety of truck components designed to prevent undercarriage crashes, concluded with a finding that the guard was defective, … Read more

Maryland Sets New Standards with Pay Transparency and Detailed Pay Statements Laws Starting October 2024

by

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Come October 1, 2024, Maryland will enact new laws aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in wage-related practices among employers. The forthcoming Pay Transparency Law alongside the Pay Stub and Pay Statement Law will obligate employers across the state to disclose more comprehensive wage details and to provide clear, detailed pay statements respectively. This legislative push reflects a wider commitment to equity in the workplace and mandates careful compliance from businesses to sidestep penalties. The Maryland Equal Pay for Equal Work – Wage Range Transparency law, under the Pay Transparency Law, will … Read more

California Sets New Standards with Groundbreaking Climate Disclosure Laws for Businesses

by

Sacramento, Calif. – California has enacted two groundbreaking climate laws this year, mandating significant transparency from companies regarding their environmental impact. These measures, which impact a broad spectrum of businesses within the state and beyond, are designed to enhance corporate accountability in the face of global climate challenges. The first of these, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (Senate Bill 253), compels large companies operating in California to report their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, this includes Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources), Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from … Read more