NE Alabama News

 A new year brings new employee rights to the state of Alabama when it comes to gun laws. “As of Jan. 1, 2023, employers may not prohibit an employee from keeping lawfully possessed pistols or hunting firearms within a personal vehicle in the employer’s parking lot,” said Catherine “Ree” Harper, general counsel and vice president of human resources for Lyons HR. Until now, Alabamians were required to possess a valid concealed carry permit to conceal a firearm on their person or in their vehicle, however that law was amended in the 2022 legislative session. The Alabama Constitutional Carry Law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last March, permits anyone who is 21 years old or order and legally permitted to own a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a permit. The law also sets forth certain requirements related to employees’ rights while on company property. “There are certain restrictions that both employers and employees should know,” added Harper. “The employee vehicle must be in a location where it is permitted to be,” she said. Harper also noted that the firearm must be out of sight within the vehicle when the employee is occupying the vehicle and must be locked away while the employee is away. “The law also sets forth additional conditions for having a hunting firearm in an employee’s vehicle,” said Harper. Those stipulations include:

• The employee must possess a valid Alabama hunting license;
• The weapon must be unloaded at all times while on company property;
• The weapon is being carried during a season in which hunting is permitted by Alabama law;
• The employee has never been convicted of any violent crime as outline in Code of Ala. § 13A-11-70 or any crime set forth in Chapter 6 of Title 13A, and isn't subject to a Domestic Violence Order;
• The employee does not have a documented workplace incident that involved threat of or resulted in physical injury.

Harper added that while the law related to firearms in personal vehicles on company property changes with the new year, the laws related to firearms within company facilities have not.

 

“Anyone who has a question about whether or not they’re permitted to bring a firearm into a company building should contact their supervisor or human resources department prior to considering doing so,” she said. “The new law does not provide conditions for employees carrying firearms, concealed or otherwise, into a company facility.”

 

Other states will see updates to laws that affect employers and employees at the beginning of the year, as well.

 

Employers in Maine will be required to pay terminated employees for all unused accrued vacation that is outlined as paid vacation by policy.

 

Washington’s amended Equal Pay and Opportunity Act requires employers to include pay ranges and benefits information on job postings after Jan. 1.

 

Two new laws will go into effect later in 2023 in New York. In February, employers may not assign demerits or negative points, or take any other discriminating or retaliatory action against an employee for taking a legally protected absence. In June, employers will be required to provide breaks and a location for an employee that is nursing and indicates a need.

 

Original source can be found here.