Editor’s Note

Don’t we live in a society light-years removed from sexism and the rigid ideas of what genders can and can’t (or should and shouldn’t) do?

In many ways we do, especially when compared to the old-world ideas of generations past. But, despite some progress, many elements of gender inequity remain. The lack of truly equal pay for men and women is one such issue.

“On average, American women make 22% less than men.”

As an HR leader, you’re only responsible for your own company, of course. No one expects you to fix the U.S. wage gap, but provided you have executive-level support, you can develop an equal pay plan that compensates employees of all genders equally and without damaging the company’s bottom line.

Check out this edition's cover article, 4 Steps Toward Making Equal Pay A Reality At Your Company, where Lesley Lyons will tell you how to achieve equal pay at your company.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling helps clarify the legality of employment contracts asking employees to waive rights to class and collective actions.

In what will be considered a victory for employers, the justices issued a 5-4 split ruling in late May, holding that agreements requiring individual arbitration must be enforced, giving employers the green light to ask employees to enter into contracts that waive their rights to bring class or collective action employment claims in court.

Check out Kate Dewberry's article Class Actions Waivers Between Employers And Employees Enforceable, to know more about this.

In ‘Public-Sector Union Membership Isn’t Compulsory’, Says SC Glenn J. Smith and Jason J. Silver delve into the recent Janus v. AFSCME case, wherein Mark Janus, a child support worker in Illinois, opted not to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”) union that represents Illinois state government employees.

The primary issue in the case was the propriety of the $45 “agency” or “fair share” fee that was automatically deducted from Janus’ paycheck on a monthly basis. The article discusses about the impact this ruling will have going forward.

Also read Tax Cuts And Jobs Act – V by Daniel Lacomis and How To Check A Potential Candidate’s Social Media Account? by Aditya Singhal, in this issue to HR Legal & Compliance Excellence.

This is not all! This month’s issue of HR Legal & Compliance is packed with top trending topics in the legal and compliance arena, and infused with information on new polices and laws to arm you and your employees to stay compliant and safe.

Happy reading and do not forget to mail us your feedback!