Employment Law

Not-so-silent workers win harassment award

08/08/2016

Some supervisors seem to think they can get away with mistreating low-paid workers who have few employment options. Increasingly, that confidence is misplaced.

House bill would phase in new overtime salary threshold

08/06/2016

A group of fiscally conservative House Democrats has introduced legislation that would phase in Department of Labor rules raising the salary threshold for white-collar overtime to $47,467 per year.

Comments about employee’s age don’t always add up to discrimination

08/04/2016

When employees say stupid things, take some small comfort: Not every stray comment will be grounds for a successful lawsuit.

Manage intermittent leave with calendar-year method

08/04/2016

Employees who take FMLA intermittent leave can wreak havoc with work schedules. Because their conditions can flare up at any time, their absences are by nature unpredictable. But there are ways you can legally curtail intermittent leave.

Is that alcohol you smell on employee’s breath? What to do now

08/01/2016

When you smell alcohol on an employee, or receive reports that an employee smells of alcohol, you need to act fast to protect everyone’s safety—but not so fast that you mishandle the situation. Follow these guidelines.

New overtime rules may trigger more off-the-clock work: 5 ways to stop it

07/28/2016

With new rules set to take effect Dec. 1, some of your previously exempt employees will find themselves in unfamiliar territory: having to stop working when the clock strikes 5:00.

Sloppy language can kill your case: Ensure consistency in arbitration agreements

07/28/2016

If you use an arbitration agreement to limit litigation, have your attorney regularly review the language in the agreement. It’s the best way to avoid completely defeating the purpose of having an agreement.

Protect customer data from thieves on your staff

07/27/2016

Con artists and hackers aren’t the only threats to your customers’ credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and other financial data. It’s easy, and tempting, for employees to access customer data that you keep.

Training customers how to use business software doesn’t count as exempt work

07/26/2016

A highly compensated employee whose job duties consisted largely of training customers on how to use the software his employer sells has won a California overtime lawsuit.

Notify lawyers quickly about arbitration agreements

07/25/2016

If an employee sues, immediately let your attorney know if the employee signed an arbitration agreement.