Author: jessica

Obama Signs Equal Pay Legislation Into Law

President Barack Obama has signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. The legislation makes it easier for workers to file pay-bias complaints under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law arose in response to a 2007 Supreme Court decision that said the deadline for workers to file a pay-bias […]

Revisiting General Releases

In brighter economic times, most employers say goodbye to employees only following individual resignations or terminations. But as more and more employers are becoming acquainted with the new “L” word—Layoffs—employees are departing in larger numbers and for different reasons. This makes now a good time to revisit those general releases that employees are asked to […]

Comparable Worth: Back from the Dead–Again?

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob Brady gives his take on the new Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and he asks for your thoughts about how the law might affect your organization—and American workplaces in general. Not so fast Even before the Obama Administration took office, Congress was hard at work passing new […]

How to Grease the Skids for Your Employee’s Attorney

In yesterday’s Advisor, Whitney Warner shared secrets of winning lawsuits against employers. Today, more of her tips, and a policy system that’s designed to keep her and her ilk at bay. Warner is a partner with Moody & Warner, P.C., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her remarks came at the recent Society for Human Resource Management […]

Congress Approves Equal Pay Bill

Both chambers of Congress have approved legislation that will extend the deadline for filing a pay-bias complaint under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The House voted 250 to 177 in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S 181) today. The Senate approved the legislation last week. President Barack Obama […]

A Peek into Enemy Camp—Plaintiff’s Lawyer Spills Secrets

“When a case begins,” says plaintiff’s lawyer Whitney Warner, “I wonder if the employer will do something dumb and fall into my hands. And they usually do make my day.” Warner is a partner with Moody & Warner, P.C., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her tips for fending off lawsuits came at the recent Society for […]

Appraisals—Lots of Work, Any Benefit?

Appraisers and appraisees alike complain about performance evaluations. They’re a lot of work; they generate a lot of discomfort; and they don’t always produce a clear benefit. In today’s issue, step-by-step recommendations from BLR’s editors. 1. Get the Employee Started. Set a meeting date, and give the employee his or her self-appraisal materials well ahead […]

Wal-Mart Settles Break Suit for $54.25 Million

Retail giant Wal-Mart has agreed to pay up to $54.25 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the retailer of violating hours of work and break laws at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Minnesota. This settlement follows a judge’s decision last summer finding that Wal-Mart violated a host of wage and hour laws. Approximately 100,000 […]

FedEx Settles Independent Contractor Suit for $26.8 Million

FedEx Corp. has agreed to shell out a whopping $26.8 million to end a long-running dispute over whether California delivery drivers in the company’s ground unit are independent contractors or employees. Last year, a California appellate court ruled in the case that about 200 ground drivers were misclassified as independent contractors. The drivers had sued […]