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Security Officer Claims Retaliation After Firearms Trainer Sexually Harassed Him

A male security officer alleged that a male firearms trainer sexually harassed him and that he became the victim of retaliation when he complained of the harassment. What Happened In February 2002, “Clark” started working as a security officer at a nuclear power plant in Buchanan, New York—initially as an employee of Wackenhut Services, Inc., […]

Key Traits of Effective Workplace Coaches

In an article for Entrepreneur, Chris Haddon and Jason Balin note that many of us have coaches, mentors, or tutors growing up. Whether we play sports, play an instrument, take an in-depth dive into a specific academic field or just need some additional assistance with schoolwork, we often have someone taking a dedicated and focused […]

Effort to push California minimum wage to $15 reported

Most California employers will see the state’s minimum wage reach $15 an hour by 2022 if reports of a deal in the state legislature materialize as expected. Reports in the Los Angeles Times and The Sacramento Bee on March 27 tell of a tentative deal between state lawmakers and union leaders that would phase in […]

Training Time—To Pay or Not to Pay?

When it comes to training time, usually compensation isn’t called into question. But what if a prospective employee’s offer of employment is contingent on whether he or she passes certain training classes? Can these preliminary training classes be unpaid? In a situation like this one, employers may be reluctant to shell out compensation for time […]

Meet the New Boss

Litigation Value: Approximately $5,000 – 10,000; Oscar’s Dunder Mifflin vacation time … and the replacement cost of Stanley’s busted windshield. Employment law issues often get overlooked in a merger while the parties focus on stock price, transition planning, public relations, and other big-ticket concerns. When Gabe announced to the Scranton employees that Sabre offered two weeks of vacation, […]

Religion in the Workplace: Court Strikes Down Ban on Religious Advocacy; What You Can Do

The federal appeals court that covers California recently ruled that a public employer violated employees’ free speech rights when it banned religious discussion and materials in the workplace. The decision highlights the need for public and private employers alike to exercise care in adopting policies that restrict employees’ religious activities at work. Join us this […]

Definition of ‘Employer’ Narrowed in Human Rights Context

By Kyla Stott-Jess Your employee is required to pass a drug test before being assigned to another company’s worksite. The employee fails the other company’s drug test and is denied the work. The employee can clearly file a human rights complaint against you as his or her employer. But can he or she go after […]

New Hampshire: Governor Lynch Last Democrat Standing

by Jay Surdukowski, Sulloway & Hollis, P.L.L.C. In New Hampshire, Republicans claimed a 19-5 edge in the state senate, a huge house majority, and likely unanimous control of the Governor’s Council, though incumbent Democratic Governor John Lynch managed to keep his post. The Republican sweep is not a surprise, but the magnitude is. This third […]

Union Contracts: The 5 Words You Should Never Say When Acquiring A Company

On their last day of work, the unionized employees of bankrupt Aero Stretch Inc., a Gardena aerospace manufacturer, were told they could apply for positions the next day with the new company taking over, Advance Stretchforming International Inc. (ASI). The employees were also informed that there would be no union at ASI. Now the federal […]

Supreme Court Says DOL Must Explain Exemption Regulations

By Kate McGovern Tornone, Editor The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) did not properly explain a regulatory change made in 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined. The department issued regulations exempting car dealership “service advisors” from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA’s) overtime requirements but those rules were not properly issued and therefore are […]