Worldwide: Contract of Employment

The New York State Assembly has passed a bill, which if signed by the Governor, would provide employees with new rights with respect to their personnel files, including notice of, and the opportunity to respond to, certain types of “negative information” placed in their personnel files. S3460, which is modeled in part after Massachusetts’ personnel records law, would add new Section 210-b to the New York Labor Law and take effect sixty (60) days if and after Governor Hochul signs it into law.

A federal court in New Jersey ruled that adult performers on a streaming platform qualify as employees under state law's ABC test, even though they were deemed independent contractors under federal FLSA standards.

State legislatures across the United States remain active throughout the year, with significant labor and employment laws taking effect between July 1 and October 1, 2026. Virginia leads with the most new legislation, addressing pay transparency, child labor, non-compete agreements, workplace violence, and background checks, while multiple states introduce regulations on employee screening, service animal definitions, and Transportation Network Company driver relationships.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, held that an employment practices liability insurer owed no duty to defend a qui tam action alleging prevailing-wage violations...

Washington State recently adopted legislation banning most non-compete agreements, including non-competes in existing agreements, but the ban does not go into effect until June 2027. Here are some key questions and answers about the Washington statute:

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) operates differently from typical HR policies and leave laws, creating unique compliance challenges for employers.

Virginia has enacted HB 627, a new law effective July 1, 2026, that prohibits noncompete agreements with health care professionals licensed by various state boards.

The US Supreme Court’s (the Court) unanimous decision in Flowers Foods, Inc. v. Brock closes the door on a significant employer-side arbitration argument...

This blog will provide timely commentary on developments in New Jersey employment and workplace law, including legislative and regulatory changes, key court decisions and evolving workplace issues.