A wave of changes to employment laws will impact businesses in New Mexico. The changes include limiting what employers can ask about an applicant’s criminal history, leave requirements for caregivers and new wage protections for domestic workers. New Mexico Ban the Box Law. Ban the Box” is a nationwide movement seeking to increase employment for workers with criminal records. The law becomes effective Jan. New Mexico Adds Caregiver Leave Law. MORE

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires you to keep all employee records for a year. Therefore, small businesses must be meticulous about maintaining employment documents and have a sound recordkeeping system that helps them compliant with employment laws and tax requirements. Also, since some states have specific recordkeeping rules or guidelines, employers should know what their state’s requirements are before proceeding. MORE

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced today. “We urge employers filing the EEO-1 to keep an eye on the EEOC’s website for further updates.”. This extension should give employers the time needed to prepare these reports and avoid common mistakes. The filing of the report is required by federal law. The deadline for finalizing EEO-1 reports was delayed last year due to employer requests, Barnes said. MORE

Here’s a quick checklist of some major federal laws you’ll need to tackle at different employee thresholds in your growth. Employers must properly classify and pay employees a corresponding minimum wage, while following overtime and child labor standards. Employers may only hire those who can legally work in the United States and must maintain up-to-date I-9 forms for all employees. Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) , via DoL. MORE

Until recently, it was legal (and fairly commonplace) for employers to refuse to hire a person because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Thanks to state and federal LGBTQ non-discrimination laws , that practice is dying out. What Are LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Laws? Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have LGBTQ non-discrimination laws. And employment agencies are prohibited from discriminating in job referrals or interviewing. MORE

New legislation in Nevada makes it the first state to prohibit employers from disqualifying candidates because of a failed drug screen for marijuana. Governor Steve Sisolak signed the new law on June 5. Since the state passed its recreational marijuana use laws in 2016, the Governor felt the law was necessary to protect job seekers who use cannabis recreationally but may have been barred from employment because of their legal use of the substance. MORE

The employee handbook is the holy grail of workplaces, and every employer should have one, regardless of size. Not having an employee handbook is one of the biggest mistakes small employers can make. The actual inclusions depend on the rules and laws that apply to your small business. MORE