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Avoid singing the blues: how employers can mitigate wage/hour liability

In the last few years, there have been multiple headlines noting that celebrities are being sued for their (or their businesses’) failure to pay wages in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law. Two such recent lawsuits involved famous singers. First, Lady Gaga had a lawsuit brought against her by her former personal assistant, Jennifer […]

California Employers Must Be Proactive with Arbitration Agreements

By Carolina A. Schwalbach, Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court held class arbitration waivers to be enforceable, and since then, many arbitration agreements have been modified to include such waivers. Doing so has allowed employers to streamline the resolution of disputes that otherwise would be in an overburdened court system […]

Discrimination: Big Settlement Reached in Workplace Bullying Case

Last year, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers California, ruled that when women bear the brunt of a supervisor’s bullying behavior—including screaming at employees—it can amount to illegal sex discrimination, even if the misconduct isn’t of a sexual nature. The case involved three women, Carol Christopher, Carmela Chamara, and Julie Bhend, who claimed […]

It’s May—Time for the Fourth Annual Fall Prevention Stand-Down!

On May 8-12, OSHA will hold its fourth annual National Fall Prevention Stand-Down. Aimed at raising awareness of fall hazards in the construction industry, OSHA describes the event as “an opportunity for employers to have a conversation with employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals.” Keep reading to find out […]

Splish Splash

Litigation Value:  California and his cohorts swimming nude in front of employees = far too much to calculate; Andy trying to get his “monog” on = one trip to the hospital for an oxygen-deprived Dwight; and Kevin getting to create a party without the party planning committee’s input = priceless. This was certainly not our […]

Jesus Take the Wheel

Litigation Value: One “Tranny Claus” = $0; One Disgruntled Jesus Impersonator = $0; Settlement Checks for Offended Employees = $50,000; Getting an XBox from Santa = Priceless. It’s the holiday season again and time for our friends at Dunder Mifflin to trim the tree and try to stay off the Naughty List. Some were more […]

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How to Develop a More Agile Workforce

Today’s business environment is extremely dynamic. Not only are new technologies rapidly shifting what is possible in terms of product and service offerings and modes of delivery, but an increasingly global economy means that new competitors can emerge from any corner of the globe. Add to that the fact that consumer tastes and preferences are […]