Dive Brief:
- Littler Mendelson's sixth Annual Employer Survey found that 79% of employers polled said they face challenges from a hodgepodge of federal, state and local laws.
- The survey also found that the EEOC’s enforcement of LBGT rights and equal pay met the expectations of fewer respondents. In 2017, the figure for both issues stood at 46%, down from 2016's measurement of 74% for LGBT rights and 61% for equal pay.
- Employers struggled the most with administering family medical leave mandates, especially intermittent leaves (65%) and leaves that extend beyond the requirements of the Family Medical Leave Act (55%).
Dive Insight:
With states, regions and municipalities across the nation passing a string of employment laws, such as paid leave and ban-the-box ordinances, it’s reasonable that employers feel a bit of headache.
Complicating matters will be the EEOC’s enforcement actions under the Trump administration. Respondents’ expectations of the agency’s enforcement of LGBT rights and equal pay mandates dropped significantly in the past year.
EEOC acting chair Victoria Lipnic said interestingly in February that the organization would seek to address "job growth and economic development," but nonetheless pledged the organization's commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting workers' rights.
Although only 4% of Littler's respondents said they might drop healthcare coverage for some full-time employees if the Affordable Care Act mandate is removed, most are committed to providing full-time workers health coverage. The survey was taken, of course, before House Republican lawmakers passed their version of the AHCA.
