Employment Law

Obey state & local wage-and-hour laws in addition to the federal FLSA

02/10/2025

Many states and municipalities have wage-and-hour laws that go beyond the mandates of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA sets the floor for wage-and-hour rules, but states and cities are free to set standards that are more generous to employees.

Executive order means federal contractors have new anti-discrimination rules to follow

02/07/2025

A White House executive order issued the day after President Donald Trump took office is already forcing companies that provide contract services to the federal government to revamp their anti-discrimination policies.

4 steps to make sure anti-harassment policies, practices succeed

02/03/2025

Many teenage employees have only a vague understanding of how the workplace works. That’s why it’s crucial for HR to educate teen workers about your anti-harassment policies and work rules before they begin work.

Ensure teen employees understand anti-harassment protections

01/31/2025

Many teenage employees have only a vague understanding of how the workplace works. They may have a ton of questions about everything from their job duties to when they will be paid. But most aren’t going to know what HR does or how to ask for help if a co-worker or supervisor is harassing them. That’s why it’s crucial for HR to educate teen workers about your anti-harassment policies and work rules before they begin work.

Kaplan appointed NLRB chair, signaling coming pro-employer tilt

01/27/2025

President Trump on Jan. 21 tapped Marvin E. Kaplan to serve as chair of the National Labor Relations Board. Kaplan, currently the only Republican on the NLRB, became a board member in 2017.

After Muldrow, beware routine management decisions that may trigger bias lawsuits

01/27/2025

Courts recognize that employers must be free to manage their workforces as they see fit—with some limitations. But that live-and-let-live ethos changed when the Supreme Court issued its Muldrow v. St. Louis decision in April 2024.

Ignore military-service absences when considering promotions, calculating benefits

01/24/2025

Employers with military-connected employees understand they must grant military leave when members of the National Guard or reserves are called up for training or active-duty service. But that’s just the beginning.

Experimental treatments are covered under the FMLA

01/23/2025

The Department of Labor has concluded in a letter to a medical organization that FMLA-covered leave taken by an employee with a serious health condition includes leave to participate in an experimental medical treatment.

Employee providing care for seriously ill sibling? Consider agreeing to request for FMLA leave

01/21/2025

The FMLA provides job-protected leave so employees can care for a long list of close relatives, including spouses, children and parents. The law even allows leave to care for grandchildren and grandparents if there is an in loco parentis relationship between them. But what about siblings?

Supreme Court’s employer-friendly ruling: FLSA classification standard is ‘preponderance of the evidence’