The plaintiffs in this wage and hour class action challenged a practice whereby overtime earned during one month would be paid at the end the following month. In this case, corrections officers in Thurston County would submit time sheets for overtime at the end of the month and the wages were paid on the last… Read More
Employment Blog
Here you can find the most recent employment law news and commentary on cases around the country. If you need assistance with employment law, don't hesitate to call us.
Romance in the Workplace & "Love Contracts"
In a timely article for this Valentine’s Day, see this article from Nixon Peabody and this article from Human Resources Executive Online on romance in the workplace and so-called "love contracts."
DOL Advisory Opinion: State Wage Deduction Statute Preempted by ERISA
The Department of Labor has issued an interesting advisory opinion holding that a Kentucky wage deduction withholding statute is preempted by ERISA to the extent it limits placement of employees into default health care plans. In this situation, employees who fail to choose a plan are placed into one by default and the employee’s share… Read More
Things to Know About Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Daniel Schwartz of the Connecticut Employment Law Blog today published a Blog post on Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) called Insurance for Employers (EPLI) – The Good, the Bad, the Unknown. The post can be read here. It builds on some points by Michael Moore, of the Pennsylvania Employment Law Blog (posted here), and identifies… Read More
National Labor Relations Board Approves New E-Mail Policies
In a recent ruling, the NLRB tweaked its views on whether and how employers may restrict the use of workplace email systems.
Busy Term for the U.S. Supreme Court on Employment Law Issues
In addition to the MetLife case reported below, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear several employment law issues this term. Look for more information as these rulings are handed down. Crawford v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and CBOCS West Inc. v. Humphries The court will address the scope of protections against retaliation under… Read More
Racial Slurs Result in $500,000 Verdict
Check out this article about a case that resulted in a $500,000 verdict in a discrimination case against a company in Alabama. The verdict was the result of the company’s failure to stop the use of racial slurs at work and the discharge of an employee after he refused to sign an agreement to arbitrate… Read More
U.S. Supreme Court Petition in San Francisco Health Care Benefits Case
Back in 2006, the City of San Francisco passed an ordinance requiring all businesses with 20 or more employees to pay a fee to help cover health care costs. A restaurant group successfully argued that the law was preempted by ERISA. The case is now on fast-track status in the 9th Circuit, with briefs due… Read More
Sexual Harassment and Disability Accommodation Claims Dismissed
The Washington Court of Appeals recently affirmed the dismissal of an interesting case involving allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and disability discrimination. Briefly, the plaintiff, Moon, was allegedly asked for sex and sexually assaulted by a supervisor at her home after a party with other coworkers. She complained about the incident 8 months later. The… Read More
Who Won the Writers' Strike?
During the Vietnam War era, the late Sen. George Aiken, R-Vt., famously told both Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon that they should “declare victory and get the hell out.” It appears that is what both sides have done in the writers’ strike. For an analysis, see this article in Slate and this… Read More