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Employment Law

OSU-Mansfield librarian sues over religious persecution

05/01/2008
Scott Savage, a former Ohio State University-Mansfield reference librarian, is suing the university over discrimination he says he suffered because of his Christian beliefs …

Gov. Strickland ends flextime for state employees

05/01/2008
Gov. Ted Strickland has put an end to flexible work hours for thousands of state employees, citing the need to provide full staffing during the traditional business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday …

AAM strike rocks GM operations across North America

05/01/2008
A strike by workers at five American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM) plants in Michigan and New York led to temporary closures at more than a dozen General Motors plants in February and March. GM’s Moraine Assembly facility, south of Dayton, ran out of parts mid-shift within a week. GM laid off more than 1,800 workers at the plant …

New state law adds ‘Military status’ to protected classes

05/01/2008
The recently enacted Ohio Veterans Package amends the Ohio Civil Rights Act to bar discrimination based on “military status.” As a result, Ohio employers now face new legal requirements on both the state and federal fronts for how they treat military employees and their families …

Revise confidentiality policy to omit any hint it covers wages

05/01/2008
It’s considered impolite in many circles to discuss money, but don’t try to stop employees from talking about their pay. Setting a policy that prohibits employees from sharing information about hourly rates, salaries, bonuses or the terms of their employment could violate the National Labor Relations Act—even if your employees do not belong to a union …

Downsized Work Force, Supersized Liability: The Legal Risks of Layoffs

04/29/2008
Whether we’re in slowdown or a full-blown recession, many employers may be contemplating job cuts to cope with tough economic times. But employers that downsize the wrong way may end up spending more on litigation than they save on labor costs. To avoid a costly court fight, know your WARN Act compliance responsibilities.

You smoke, you’re fired! Lessons from the Whirlpool Case

04/29/2008
The dangers of smoking are well documented: heart disease and cancer, shorter life expectancy, higher health care expenses. Now add another risk: As workers in Indiana just found out, smoking could get you fired. Was their employer justified in taking action, or did it step into a legal quagmire?

Employers may be responsible for co-Worker defamation and assault

04/28/2008
Need another reason—beyond harmony and collegiality—to insist that managers maintain a civil and considerate work environment? Consider this: Employers can be held liable for the defamation and assault of co-workers …

NJLAD disability claim allows employers to demand medical information

04/28/2008
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires employers to reasonably accommodate employees with handicaps. Employees who want accommodations have to let their employers know. Refusing to provide updated medical information sinks an employee’s NJLAD claim …

Camden firefighter sues over racism

04/28/2008
A firefighter who was recently fired by the Camden Fire Department is suing for harassment and retaliation, alleging a captain at Tower Ladder Company 2 “habitually” made threatening racist comments. Shane Streater alleges that he was discharged shortly after he began complaining about the harassment …