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The History of Laws Protecting LGBTQIA+ Workers from Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace in Colorado

By: Colin A. Walker

June 30, 2023

As Pride Month draws to a close, it may be good to recall the history of protection of LGBTQIA+ workers. As in most states, until recently, there was no legal protection of LGBTQIA+ workers in Colorado. Then, in 1990, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance making it illegal to discriminate or harass employees on the basis of sexual orientation in the City and County of Denver. But, that law did not apply outside the City and County of Denver.

Are No-poach Agreements Legal?

By: Colin A. Walker

May 31, 2023

A no-poach agreement is an agreement between employers not to hire each other’s employees. Such agreements have an obvious negative impact on competition for labor and employees’ ability to find work, usually unlawful under antitrust laws. However, under some circumstances, they can be permissible. 

Colorado Legislature Passes Amendments to Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

By: Colin A. Walker

May 17, 2023

In 2019, the Colorado Legislature passed the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (the Act), which went into effect January 1, 2021. The Act contained provisions regarding gender-based wage discrimination claims (paying employees of one gender more than employees of a different gender), pay “transparency” and “opportunities for advancement and promotion.” Soon thereafter, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) enacted Equal Pay Transparency Rules (EPT Rules) which explained and expanded upon the transparency and opportunities provisions of the Act.

The End of COVID Public Health Emergency Leave

By: Colin A. Walker

May 11, 2023

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the federal public health emergency, imposed in response to the COVID pandemic, will end. Click here to read more. Colorado’s public health emergency ended earlier this year. Click here to read more. 

Colorado Legislature Passes Significant Changes to Workplace Harassment Laws

By: Colin A. Walker

May 8, 2023

The Colorado Legislature has passed the Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights Act, Senate Bill 23-172 (POWR). Governor Jared Polis is expected to sign it. POWR makes significant changes to the law of workplace harassment and discrimination. 

When Does Colorado's New Law on Covenants Not to Compete Require Written Notice?

By: Colin A. Walker

April 25, 2023

In August of 2022, the Colorado Legislature amended Colorado’s law governing covenants not to compete, making them significantly more difficult to enforce. Covenants not to compete prohibit employees from competing against a former employer and/or soliciting its customers (in Colorado, restrictions on soliciting other employees are not governed by the same standards).

NLRB Ruling Holds Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Clauses Violated National Labor Relations Act

By: Colin A. Walker

March 28, 2023

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued an opinion holding the confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses in a separation agreement offered to a group of 11 union employees pursuant to a reduction in force violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Overruling two previous cases, in McLarin v. McComb, the Board held that such clauses are illegal if they “have a reasonable tendency to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in their exercise” of rights in the NLRA to engage in concerted activity (Section 7 of the NLRA)—communicating with other employees about the terms and conditions of employment. 

Fair Workweek Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature

By: Colin A. Walker

March 21, 2023

House Bill 23-1118, the Fair Workweek Employment Standards Act, failed in a hearing before the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. The bill would have imposed a number of difficult requirements on covered employers regarding scheduling and hiring.

POWR Bill Introduced in Colorado Senate

By: Colin A. Walker

March 9, 2023

On February 27, 2023, SB23-172, the Protecting Opportunities & Workers' Rights Act (“POWR”), was introduced in the Colorado Senate. Like its predecessors in previous sessions, POWR would, if enacted, make sweeping changes to the law of employment discrimination and harassment in Colorado.

Supreme Court Confirms Strict Compliance Required to Exempt Highly Compensated Employees From Overtime Regulations

By: Adrian P. Castro

March 1, 2023

One of the trickiest issues faced by employers is proper classification of employees as exempt or non-exempt from the overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and corresponding state laws. Exempt employees need not be paid overtime but there are strict requirements for classifying an employee as exempt. In this post, Adrian Castro of Fairfield and Woods, P.C.’s Employment Law Department tells us about a recent Supreme Court Case regarding one of the most confusing exemptions, the “Highly Compensated Employee Exemption.” 

Denver Enacts New Wage Theft Ordinance

By: Colin A. Walker

January 18, 2023

On January 9, 2023, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance amending the Revised Municipal Code to provide new remedies for failure to pay wages. The new ordinance provides that the Denver Auditor may investigate and impose fines of up to $25,000 for an employer’s failure to pay wages, and treble damages. Like many other employment laws, there is a civil action for aggrieved employees, penalties, and a prevailing employee may recover their attorneys’ fees. Retaliation is also prohibited. 

FTC Proposes Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements for All Employees

By: Adrian P. Castro

January 12, 2023

On January 5, 2023, the FTC published a proposed notice of rulemaking that seeks to classify almost all non-compete and some non-disclosure agreements as unenforceable forms of unfair competition. While Colorado non-compete laws were recently revised to make it more difficult to enforce non-compete agreements, this new rule would have the effect of rendering the vast majority of Colorado non-compete agreements unenforceable.

Additional Posts

Employment Law Implications of SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes Rule Increasing Salary Threshold for Exempt Workers

Fail to Honor Your Obligations and Lose the Right to Enforce Restrictive Covenants

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in the Workplace

New Colorado Law Prohibits Non-Disparagement and Non-Disclosure Agreements which Prohibit Disclosure of Unfair Employment Practices

Supreme Court Changes Standard for Religious Accommodation

Supreme Court Strikes Down College Admissions Programs which Give Preference Based on Race

The History of Laws Protecting LGBTQIA+ Workers from Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace in Colorado

Are No-poach Agreements Legal?

Colorado Legislature Passes Amendments to Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

The End of COVID Public Health Emergency Leave

Colorado Legislature Passes Significant Changes to Workplace Harassment Laws

When Does Colorado's New Law on Covenants Not to Compete Require Written Notice?

NLRB Ruling Holds Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Clauses Violated National Labor Relations Act

Fair Workweek Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature

POWR Bill Introduced in Colorado Senate

Supreme Court Confirms Strict Compliance Required to Exempt Highly Compensated Employees From Overtime Regulations

Denver Enacts New Wage Theft Ordinance

FTC Proposes Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements for All Employees

Public Health Emergency Leave Expanded to Include Flu and other Respiratory Illnesses

Supreme Court Hears Affirmative Action Cases

Changing Times Creates Employment Law Minefield: Summary on Recent and Upcoming Changes to Employment Law

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes New Rule Regarding Independent Contractors

Criminal Issues in the Workplace

New Employment Laws Go Into Effect August 10, 2022

Lobbying and Employment Law

New Law Requires Notice of Reason for Termination

Is Hair a Protected Class?

2022 Colorado Legislative Session Brings Big Changes to Employment Law

Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act (“FAIR Act”)

Does Your Company Need a Privacy Policy?

IT Forensics: Technology Security Issues That Employers Should Keep Top of Mind

“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me…” Should Non-Disparagement Provisions be Included in Employment Agreements?

United States Women’s National Soccer Team Secures Historic $24 Million Equal Pay Settlement

Senate Passes Landmark Bill Ending Forced Arbitration of Workplace Sexual Harassment and Assault Claims

Can You Provide Different Benefits to Different Employees?

Happy New Year: Ready or Not, Here Comes 2022!

Senate Bill SB 21-217

Sixth Circuit to Preside Over Challenge to OSHA Vaccine Mandate

Court of Appeals Issues Temporary Stay of OSHA Vaccine Mandate

Navigating A Patchwork of Employment Laws: An HR Perspective

How A Recently Overturned Colorado Supreme Court Law Affects Employers

Dealing with A Patchwork of Employment Laws: Colorado Checklist 

Employment Law for Boards of Directors

Terminations

Recap of Employment Law in the 2021 Colorado Legislative Session

HR and Employment Law Considerations for Returning to Work After COVID-19

Litigation

Tips for a Successful Partnership with Your Employment Lawyer

Employment Law for Start-Ups

Can Employers Force Employees to Return to the Workplace?

Separation Agreements

Bill Introduced in Colorado Legislature Would Substantially Expand Employment Discrimination Law

Considerations for Departing Executives

Measures to Reduce Risk upon Separation

Colorado Statute Limits Use of Employee’s Personal Social Media Accounts for Business Purposes

Traps for the Unwary Executive or Founder When Offering Securities

Tax Considerations with Severance Pay: Section 409A

New Colorado Requirements for Job Postings Outside of an Employer's Organization

Termination of the Employment Relationship

Employment Law Changes To Expect Under the Biden Administration

Attorneys’ Fees Provisions

Golden Parachute or Golden Handcuffs?

CDLE Invokes Public Health Emergency Provisions of Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for 2021

Arbitration Agreements

Choice of Law and Venue

Newsflash: Pay Equity Law Goes Into Effect

Intellectual Property

I’ve been offered stock options. What should I do before I accept them?

Paid Family Leave Ballot Initiative Passes in Colorado

Issuing Stock Options

Garden Leave

Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation Agreements

Employment Agreements

Newsflash: State Paid Leave Legislation

Independent Contractors

Duty of Loyalty

Commissions and Non-Discretionary Bonuses

Deferred Compensation