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What I've Been Reading This Week


It was a busy few days in trial last week, out of the office at the start of the this week, and then in depositions and trials to end the week.  While I was on the road and away from home/my office most of the past week, I could not let a Friday go by without positing this “What I’ve Been Reading Tbis Week”.  After all, I strive to be on time with these posts, unlike the reporting of the Democratic caucus results out of Iowa.  (I could not help myself.  That might have been low hanging fruit, but I could not pass up the opportunity.)

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Flagstaff to Pay State of Arizona $840,000.00 As A Result of Higher Hourly Wage Rate

Well with every piece of good news, it is inevitable that there might be some bad news not far behind.  Take this news out of Arizona:  the hourly minimum rate in Flagstaff is $13/hour (while the state’s hourly wage rate is $12/hour.)   It goes without saying that is good news for hourly workers in Flagstaff.  However, as a result of a law passed last year, cities with hourly wage rates higher than the state’s are required to reimburse the state for costs associated with the higher wage rate.  Therefore, it is estimated that Flagstaff will owe the state at least $840,000.00 over the next two years (and perhaps more, depending upon final calculations.)


Democratic Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer Recognizes Campaign Union

This past Sunday, Democratic Presidential candidate Tom Steyer announced that a staff bargaining unit with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2325 had been recognized.  Readers might recall that other Democratic Presidential campaigns have unionized this election cycle, including the campaigns of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.  As with the unionization of the other campaigns, I am not surprised that Steyer has chosen to voluntarily recognize the union (rather than requiring an election occur.)  Whether Steyer's candidacy makes it to (and through) Super Tuesday next month remains to be seen.


During State of the Union Address, President Trump Urges Passage of Paid Leave Bill

During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump took a moment to voice his support for a paid leave bill that has recently been introduced in Congress, urging the Legislators in the House chamber to pass the legislation.  Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the sponsors of the bill, noted his support of President Trump’s reference to the paid leave bill during the President’s address.  It is worth noting that The Advancing Working Families Act, the paid leave bill, has bipartisan support.  Whether that is enough to get the legislation passed remains to be seen.  However, President Trump appears ready to sign it, should it reach his desk.


Implementing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace...And Including Independent Contractors?

Kara Hertzog over at HRDive wrote an article in which she pointed out that while many employers have implemented sexual harassment training in the workplace (whether by choice or because of a new regulation or law), the question turns to whether employers should include independent contributors that training.  While every workplace is different, Hertzog recommends employers play it safe and include independent contractors in the training.  The article includes three suggestions on how employers can implement the training as well.

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