The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued new guidance on employers’ use of wearable technology for its staff.
In recent years, some employers have begun requiring employees to wear smart devices such as watches or rings that track their activities and monitor their physical or mental condition in the workplace, smart glasses or helmets that measure the brain’s electrical activity or detect emotions, and GPS to track the employee’s location.
The EEOC warns that some uses of these wearable devices may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance offers suggestions on how employers can legally implement policies surrounding the use of wearables.
Oregon: Paid Leave Oregon
Eligible employees can now receive Paid Leave Oregon benefits to attend legal proceedings required for the placement of a foster child or the adoption of a child.
Washington: Paid Sick Leave
The definition of “family member” for purposes of Washington’s paid sick leave law has been expanded to include household members and individuals with a relationship with the employee that creates an expectation of care, even when they are not related to the employee.
In addition, employees must be allowed to use paid sick leave when their child’s school or place of care has been closed due to a federal, state, or local government emergency declaration.
Washington: Meal Period Violations
A recent Washington Court of Appeals case held that nonexempt employees who do not receive required meal periods are entitled to payment for time worked during the meal period, plus 30 minutes of pay as a penalty, as well as double damages on willfully unpaid amounts.
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