The holiday season tends to bring out the festive spirit in people and in companies. People throw Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve parties; some even throw Thanksgiving and Winter Solstice parties. But, when companies decide to throw similar parties the logistics and concerns frequently seem far more complicated. Huffington Post recently posted a top 10… Read More
Posts Categorized In: Employment Policies
Recent Oregon ruling on Facebook Comments and First Amendment Rights
Many courts around the country have ruled that much of an employee’s activity on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, is protected activity under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. This means that employees may not be terminated or disciplined for protected online speech. However, this is not a… Read More
The Family Friendly and Workplace Flexibility Act
Earlier this year, the United States House of Representatives approved a bill titled the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013. Specifically, this bill aimed to amend the overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to allow employers to offer compensatory time off in lieu of time and a half overtime pay. Though… Read More
Washington's Department of Labor and Industry Want To Make A Change
The Tri-City Herald recently posted a story detailing Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industry’s efforts and intent to be more “user friendly,” particularly for employers. The Department of Labor and Industry is a state agency that handles everything thing from employee complaints over safety to workers’ compensation claims to licensing. The department assists and… Read More
Target Drops Criminal History From Applications Nationwide
Washington residents, outside of Seattle, with criminal records and who are contemplating where to apply for a job may want to think about Target. Target made news this week when it announced that it was dropping the question about criminal history from its applications nationwide. Starting January 1st, anyone applying to work at Target will… Read More
Meal Break Requirements in Oregon
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Oregon Revised Statute 653.261 both regulate minimum employment conditions for workplaces within the state. Such minimum conditions include minimum hourly wages, required overtime payments, and required rest and meal periods. These conditions do not apply to all employees, however, as many employees are classified as “exempt” from… Read More
Spokane Man Loses Part of His Leg in Industrial Accident
Most people have seen the “X days since last workplace accident” signs at some point in their life. The larger the number of days the better it is for employers and employees. Spokane Purina Mill will have a very small number after an accident on October 5. The Spokesman-Review reported on the recent unfortunate workplace… Read More
FMLA Abuse can bar Recovery for Retaliation
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to take up to twelve weeks of leave per year for certain reasons without the fear of losing their jobs. The Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) provides further, similar protections for employees within the state. These reasons include: Serious health conditions that affects the employee’s ability… Read More
Lesser-Known Employee Civil Rights in Oregon
Employees in Oregon are protected under both federal and state laws from discrimination and harassment at work based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and many more characteristics. Furthermore, an employer may not discipline, demote, discharge, or otherwise retaliate against any employee who complains of unlawful discrimination or harassment. Most employees… Read More
FMLA Leave Now Available to Same-Sex Spouses
The United States Supreme Court’s historic decision in United States v. Windsor struck down provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) limiting the federal government’s recognition of marriage to the union of “one man and one woman.” In doing so, it opened the door for same-sex couples to have access to the same federally… Read More