Puerto Rico: Law & Practice and Trends & Developments |

Oct05

Category: Labor and Employment Law

Puerto Rico: Law & Practice and Trends & Developments

We are delighted to be a contributing firm to the 2023 Employment Guide with Chambers Global Practice Guides. Our commentary on the Employment sector in Puerto Rico provides professional insight on local law and regulations, legal risks for employers doing business in Puerto Rico, best practices, cross-jurisdictional issues, and more. If you’d like to read our chapter for more commentary on the legal issues surrounding employment in Puerto Rico, please click the link:

Puerto Rico: Law & Practice and Trends & Developments

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Related News/Publications

Aug16

Labor and Employment Update: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Issues Revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities

On August 1, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a revised version of Form I-9. After October 31, 2023, all employers must use the latest version of Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires, and/or for the reverification of expiring employment authorization of current employees (if applicable). After October 31, 2023, previous versions of Form I-9 will not be accepted, and failure to use the revised Form I-9 may result in penalties. A revised Spanish Form I-9 dated August 1, 2023 is available for use in Puerto Rico only.

Mar30

AMG’s Mariel Y. Haack to Participate in Puerto Rico HotelierCon 2023

On May 11, 2023, at 4:30pm, Mariel Y. Haack, Shareholder of AMG’s Labor and Employment Department, will participate as a speaker at the 2023 Puerto Rico HotelierCon, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Mariel will discuss how to approach mental health in the workplace from a legal perspective.

Mar07

THE REPEAL AND UNCERTAIN FATE OF LAW NO. 41-2022

This Court’s decision is not final yet. According to some government spokespersons, including the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico, they are analyzing the legal grounds that support the decision and will determine if the best course of action is to appeal. However, given this swift action and decisive language used by the Court, in addition to the good track record of the Board in PROMESA cases, it is likely that the decision will be upheld. Moreover, the least that is needed at this moment is further confusion and instability from a government appeal.

Nov10

AMG win in PR Court of Appeal in a discrimination and retaliation case

AMG’s Labor and Employment Practice Team secured a win before the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals in a discrimination and retaliation case and a reversal of a penalty over an awarded bonus payment to an exempt employee.

Oct17

AMENDMENTS TO PUERTO RICO SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE ACT

headlines when it fined a political party in Puerto Rico in the amount of $30,000, in connection with a sexual and workplace harassment claim. Among other findings, the Office for Women’s Advocacy determined that the political organization in question had failed to have protocols and procedures to handle sexual harassment claims.

Jul11

The Labor Reform of 2017 and Law Number 41-2022: One step forward two steps back

On June 20, 2022, the governor of Puerto Rico signed into law the long-awaited amendments to Law No. 4-2017, the Labor Transformation and Flexibility Law of 2017 (also known as the Labor Reform of 2017). Now, with the benefit of an opinion of the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico issued on June 28, 2022, and a presentation by such agency on June 30, 2022, we have a better view of the scope of Law No. 41-2022, which is effective on July 20, 2022. For micro businesses and PYMES (small and medium enterprises) as defined in Law No. 62-2014, the provisions of Law No. 41-2022 will be effective ninety (90) days after its approval.

Oct29

New Minimum Wage and other amendments to the waste statutes

On September 21st, 2021, the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, signed into law the Puerto Rico Minimum Wage Act, Act 47-2021 (hereinafter the “Act”). When he made the announcement, Pierluisi expressed that, after more than 12 years without a raise to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, now through the PR Minimum Wage Act, on January 1st, 2022, the minimum wage salary in Puerto Rico will be raised to $8.50 per hour.

Oct01

Chambers & Partners Global Practice Guides- Employment 2021

The new Chambers & Partners Global Practice Guide- Employment 2021 covers 52 jurisdictions. The Puerto Rico chapter of the guide, contributed by AMG, provides the latest legal information on the legislative initiatives to cope with the COVID-19 crisis, terms of employment, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, data privacy law, foreign workers, the role of unions, and employee representative bodies, termination of employment, employment disputes and dispute resolution. It also discusses the latest trends and developments in the area of Employment Law in Puerto Rico.

Aug30

EMPLOYER ALERT- PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDUSTRIES

Puerto Rico remains under a state of public health emergency first announced on March 12, 2020, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aug24

It’s not funny anymore: a primer on workplace harassment in Puerto Rico

AMG’s Mariel Y. Haack and Edwin J. Seda-Fernández featured in Summer 2021 Edition of The In-House Lawyer Magazine.

Aug06

Employment Protection for Registered and Authorized Patients of Medical Cannabis in Puerto Rico

Last week, Governor Pedro Pierluisi signed into law, Act 15-2021, which amends Act No. 42-2017, “Act to Manage the Study, Development and Research of Cannabis for Innovation, Applicable Standards and Limits”, to provide employment protections to registered and authorized medical cannabis patients by creating a protected category for these employees in their workplaces.

Jan18

The End of the Labor Reform Act of 2017?

During the 2020 election campaign in Puerto Rico, several candidates ran on a platform that included amending the Labor Reform Act of 2017, Law No. 4 of January 26, 2017 (“Law No. 4-2017”). Accordingly, it should come to no surprise that in the opening 2021 legislation session, there is a flurry of bills in the House intended to amend or repeal Law No. 4-2017.

Aug10

New Laws on Workplace Harassment (“Mobbing”)

On August 7, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law House Bill 306 to prohibit workplace harassment (commonly referred to as “mobbing”).

Jun17

Counter COVID-19 Emergency Tax Relief Act

The Complementary Act to Counter the Effects on Puerto Rico's Economy caused by the Covid-19 Emergency, signed by the Governor on June 14, 2020 (Act 57-2020), incorporates certain permanent and temporary tax measures

Jun16

United States Supreme Court Holds that Gay and Transgender Employees Are Protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

On June 15, 2020, in a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court (“Supreme Court”) held in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, that employers cannot take adverse employment actions against employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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