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News Notes: New Wage Order For Construction And Related Industries

The Industrial Welfare Commission has issued a new wage order covering the construction, drilling, logging and mining industries. This is the first time these industries have been regulated by a special wage order comprehensively governing wages, hours and working conditions. The new wage order covers, among other things, minimum wage and overtime rules, alternative workweek […]

News Notes: Supreme Court Raises Hurdle For Job Bias Punitive Damages

The U.S. Supreme Court has made it harder for employees to win punitive damages under federal anti-discrimination laws. The case involved a suit by a female attorney who claimed she was denied a promotion because of her sex. The court agreed with the employee that punitive damages are available when an employer acts with “reckless […]

Employment Law Tip: Watch Out for Weingarten Rights

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) allows employees, both union and non-union, to engage in “concerted activities for the purpose of mutual aid or protection.” This includes an employee’s right to have a union representative present at an investigatory meeting that the employee reasonably believes could result in discipline.

News Notes: Big Lots Announces Overtime Settlement

Big Lots Inc. has signed off on a $10 million settlement of a lawsuit charging that more than 1,400 managers and assistant managers at the Ohio-based retailer’s California discount stores, including Pic ‘N’ Save and MacFrugals, were misclassified as exempt. The employees charged they spent the bulk of their time performing nonmanagerial tasks such as […]

Is The Company Responsible When an Employee Is Stalked by an Ex-Employee?

This content was originally published in January 2000. For the latest in HR management, visit our archives or try our online compliance portal, HR.BLR.com. Supervisor Erin Slade felt she had no choice but to fire Bruce Makin after he threatened a co-worker with a gun in the employee break room of Main Property Insurance Company. […]

Employee Privacy: New Decision Spotlights Limits On Your Right To Discipline Workers For Off-The-Job Activities

John Strahan, a sergeant for the Washoe County, Nev., Sheriff’s Department, was a member of a motorcycle club called Blind Justice. He allegedly attended motorcycle events, wore Hell’s Angels T-shirts and hung out with other bikers, including some who were convicted felons. When Strahan was demoted to deputy sheriff, he filed a lawsuit contending he […]

In Spite of Review Flaws, Court Sees ‘Sufficient’ Appeal Process and Reasonable Benefit Cut-off

Because an employer health plan gave a full and fair review resulting in a reasonable benefits decision, a federal court upheld the plan’s lifetime limit on obesity services and its prohibition on payments to treat complications from earlier gastric bypass surgeries. The plan also weathered an allegation that it was not properly segregating plan funds. […]