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Standing ovation for Adam Jones at Fenway

Last Monday, the Orioles made headlines for more than just their 5-2 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.  Orioles player Adam Jones reported that Red Sox fans called him a racial slur several times and threw a bag of peanuts at him as he was entering the dugout. Police reportedly ejected 34 people, […]

Plan Controls Respond to PBM Spreads, Generic Cost Spikes

If a pharmacy benefits manager promises a group health plan that there will be no administrative fee for drugs, it actually could be a red flag and not a cause for celebration. It could mean the PBM is “gaming the spread” or not passing rebates through to the plan. Plans can prevent this kind of […]

News Flash: Los Angeles Ordered To Pay $1 Million To Syrian-Born Worker

A Los Angeles jury recently awarded $1 million to Mustafa Rez, a waste management engineer for the city of Los Angeles who charged that he was discriminated against and harassed based on his national origin and Muslim religion. Rez claimed that after nine years of positive reviews, his problems started when he submitted a proposal […]

Take a Vacation from Smartphones and Overtime Laws

by Sarah McAdams Do you keep your personal Blackberry or iPhone on your bedside table, yanking yourself from deep sleep every time a new message dings in? You’re not alone, sad addict. I, for instance, am typing this on a Saturday at a picnic table in my backyard. For years, employers have most frequently issued […]

To See or Not to See: Disciplined Worker Entitled to View Employer’s Surveillance Footage

Although it involves the claim of a union employee under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), a recent labor board decision reminds us that, under some circumstances, an employee may request that their employer provide them with workplace surveillance footage that is relevant to a disciplinary decision. Casino’s Surveillance System Captures Video of Staff Meeting […]

The Feud is On!

Though no repeat on NBC tonight, I have very good news to report! The cast of The Office will appear on a celebrity version of the Family Feud on NBC, Tuesday night at 8 p.m Eastern / 7 p.m. Central. Undoubtedly, with that cast (and others on that night – namely American Gladiators), there will […]

Comfort Inn Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Suit for $27k

The owner of a Comfort Inn & Suites franchise will pay $27,500 to settle claims that it discriminated against an employee because she was pregnant. The case reminds employers to keep in mind that the law prohibits discrimination against pregnant employees, and that employers may need to accommodate them. Ramin Inc., which owned a Comfort […]

Employee Theft: Do We Have to Pay a New Employee Who Stole from Us?

We recently had a new employee—on his second day of work—steal one of our company checks, use the signature stamp, and attempt to cash it for $7,000.00. The clerk at the check-cashing store suspected something and called us. We contacted the police and filed a report requesting the employee’s arrest. Our question is, do we […]

Employee Expenses: DLSE Proposes Expense Reimbursement Rules

Under Labor Code section 2802, employers must indemnify employees for “all necessary expenditures or losses” an employee incurs in direct connection with performing his or her job duties. But employers, employees, and courts have grappled with issues such as what must be reimbursed and at what rates, and whether paying an increased salary or commission […]