E-Cigarettes, Domestic Violence Leave and Weapons: Handbook Statements Added and Amended

Author: Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, XpertHR Legal Editor

XpertHR has updated several employee handbooks to reflect various legal developments.

As of December 30, 2015, Delaware employers with four or more employees in Delaware must provide reasonable accommodations to victims of domestic or sexual violence or stalking in accordance with Delaware law. As a result, the Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking Handbook Statement: Delaware has been added and the EEO Handbook Statement: Delaware has been updated. The table of contents for the Delaware employee handbook has been updated accordingly.

As a result of legal developments effective January 1, 2016, the following handbooks have been updated:

Hawaii

• The Smoke-Free Workplace Handbook Statement: Hawaii has been updated to reflect the prohibition of electronic smoking devices in the workplace.

Oregon

• A new Discussion of Wages Handbook Statement: Oregon has been added as a result of the Oregon Paycheck Fairness Act which prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee if (1) the employee has inquired about, discussed or disclosed the wages of the employee or of another employee, or (2) the employee has made a charge, filed a complaint, or instituted an investigation or action based on the disclosure of wage information by the employee. The table of contents for the Oregon employee handbook has been updated accordingly.
• The Domestic Violence, Harassment, Sexual Assault or Stalking Victim Handbook Statement: Oregon has been updated to reflect that an employee who is the victim, or the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent who is a victim of harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking is now allowed, but not required, to use any accrued paid vacation leave, sick leave, personal business leave or other paid leave while taking time off rather than unpaid leave.
• The Family and Medical Leave Handbook Statement [25-49 Employees] Oregon and the Family and Medical Leave Handbook Statement [50+ Employees]: Oregon have been updated to reflect the fact that employees are now entitled to the continuation of any group health insurance coverage during the period of family leave on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work.

Texas

• The Weapons in the Workplace Handbook Statement: Texas has been updated to prohibit employees from openly carrying a weapon into the workplace provided that the employer posts a sign providing notice to that effect.

Employers with employees in these states should use these revised statements in their handbooks.