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Hiring Foreign Workers: Congress Ups Quota For H-1B Visas; Practical Impact

Grappling with a chronic shortage of computer programmers and other skilled workers, the high-tech industry successfully lobbied long and hard for an expansion of the H-1B visa program. Employers should face fewer delays in hiring foreign professionals now that Congress has raised the annual limit on H-1B work visas and changed the rules to make […]

Employers See Dramatic Rise in Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is back in the news as the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether AT&T violated the Act by paying reduced pension benefits based on uncredited pregnancy leave taken before enactment of the PDA in 1978. That upcoming decision may influence whether companies have to change their policies retroactively to comply with […]

Be Prepared for ICE: What To Do When ICE Visits Your Workplace

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the U.S. government. With the increased funding, the Trump administration has more than doubled the number of ICE officers and agents. As a result, ICE raids and I-9 audits are increasing in frequency. ICE raids and I-9 audits often cause anxiety and […]

Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act begins to take effect

The new Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA)—an amalgamation of changes designed to “close the gender gap” by breaking down barriers to economic progress for women—has begun to take effect. Governor Mark Dayton signed WESA into law on Mother’s Day earlier this month. Some of the changes were “effective upon enactment,” which means they went […]

Work for a Client Can Still Meet FLSA’s Administrative Exemption, 3rd Circuit Rules

Does an employee “assist in the running or servicing of the business” if he designs systems for a client rather than for the business itself? According to a recent ruling from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the answer is “yes,” thereby helping the employee satisfy one of the key requirements for the administrative […]

Veterans Soldiering On Through Tough Job Market

By Tammy Binford The recession has been discouraging to job seekers of all stripes – those with advanced degrees as well as those without higher education, those in specialized fields and those looking for just any kind of work. Certainly job seekers transitioning out of the military aren’t immune to the difficulties posed by the […]

New Requirements Without Regs and Regs Without Requirements

As if it weren’t enough of a hassle, FLMA’s just gotten messier. The feds have added “servicemember family” leave—but without the regulations needed to administer it—and “qualifying exigency” leave—not required but “encouraged.” Here’s what you need to know. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), already HR’s least favorite law, has just gotten more so. […]

Workers’ Compensation: Lawsuit Against Tosco Tries End Run Around Workers’ Comp Limits

A Tosco worker injured in a catastrophic 1999 explosion and fire at the company’s Martinez refinery and the family of another worker killed in the disaster have filed a lawsuit against Tosco. Employees who are injured on the job are generally limited to workers’ comp benefits. But this lawsuit attempts to sidestep this restriction by […]

An HR Bonus for Each Dropped EEOC Charge?

In yesterday’s CED, Hunter Lott of Please Sue Me fame offered his lawsuit avoidance tips. Today, his advice on legal exposure in 2011, plus an introduction to an upcoming event you won’t want to miss.   What percent of charges did the EEOC drop last year? Lott asks. More than 64 percent. “That’s us!” Lott […]