2009 turned out to be a big year for Employment Law in Philadelphia and every other part of the country. 2010 is proving to be just as dramatic. In 2009, the first bill signed into law by President Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, extending the time limits on which an employee can sue for discrimination. Also in 2009, Congress passed COBRA assistance, for unemployed workers in need of health insurance. Congress also passed expanded provisions for military family leave. Meanwhile, workers with disabilities enjoyed broader protections under an amendment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA), while in another arena, rules against employment discrimination based on genetic Information were set down with the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). For 2010, the employment laws for Philadelphia and the rest of the country are no less formative.
Among the most anticipated bills in 2010 is the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), which adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of unlawful discriminations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII. Labor unions are in the spotlight, as well, in 2010. The Employee Free Choice Act is being considered in Congress, which seeks to allow employees to form or partake in labor unions with protected rights. Employee leave rights are yet another top order of business, with several bills in process, including the Healthy Families Act for paid sick leave.
The list goes on. Other issues in the mix include employer and employee Internet rights, enforcement of classifications between employee vs. Independent Contractor – and of course, the complex issues around healthcare reform. How the fast-paced, unfolding national drama interacts with and impacts Philadelphia employment law requires diligence from the most experienced Philadelphia employment law lawyer. Click now to contact us today.