How much do you tip for a $900,000 "lunch"?

It's Just Lunch, a company that provides matchmaking services nationwide, has agreed to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC.  The Agency charged in its suit that "It's Just Lunch" (IJL) refused to hire men as dating directors and inside sales representatives.

According to the terms of the consent decree settling the suit, IJL will pay more than $900,000 to settle the suit.

As the director of the Miami EEOC office stated, "Employers cannot refuse to hire applicants based on unfounded sex stereotypes.  Moreover, employees who raise legitimate concerns about their employer's employment practices must be able to raise those concerns without fear of unlawful retaliation."

Biweekly pay legislation signed into law

Governor Chafee has signed legislation to allow Rhode Island businesses to pay employees on a biweekly basis if their average payroll exceeds 200 percent of minimum wage. The legislation is aimed at addressing businesses’ concerns that Rhode Island’s current law requiring weekly paychecks is burdensome, but also addresses the needs of workers living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Caregivers’ TDI expansion signed into law

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Gayle Goldin and Rep. Elaine Coderre has been signed into law, expanding temporary disability insurance to employees who must take time out of work to care for a family member or bond with a new child in their home.

$8.00 will be the New Minimum Wage in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island General Assembly has approved and Gov. Lincoln Chafee has signed into law legislation to increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage to $8 per hour, beginning January 1, 2014.

What a Difference a Year Makes

A little over a year ago we wrote about DOMA and the impact it would have on same-sex marriages in Rhode Island.

 

Of course, that was before the United States Supreme Court weighed in with its June 26, 2013 decision in United States v. Windsor.  In that case, the highest court in the land declared that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.

Amendments to Rhode Island's laws will enable couples, as of August 1, 2013, to marry any other eligible person regardless of gender.  In addition, Rhode Island has declared that it will recognize valid same-sex marriages from other states.

"Ban the Box" becomes the law in Rhode Island

Among the newest laws enacted in Rhode Island is one that will prohibit prospective employers from including questions on job applications regarding arrests, charges or criminal convictions. Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law this week by Gov. Lincoln Chafee provides that potential employers would only be allowed to probe a job applicant’s criminal background at the first personal interview following the application process, and any time thereafter. The so-called “ban the box” law applies to employers with at least four employees.

Ocean State Friday Fun Facts

We missed last week's Ocean State Friday Fun Facts, so here's a bonus "three-pack."  Enjoy the weekend!

• Consistent with its small size, Rhode Island's State Motto, "Hope," is the shortest of any of the states.

• Most Americans know that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union (OK, maybe the good folks in Delaware don't know that).  However, do you know just how small Rhode Island is in comparison to Alaska?  Believe it or not, you could fit 424 Rhode Islands within the state of Alaska.

• Did you know that The Industrial Revolution started in Rhode Island?  It all began with the development and construction in 1790 of Samuel Slater's water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket.