Helping Employers in Employment Law Matters and Labor Relations
Remember OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration)? Still alive and kicking! Last year, OSHA launched a program to identify and address heat-related injuries and illnesses in workplaces (blog here). The statistics on heat-related deaths and illnesses are astounding. OSHA has … Read More
How to strike a balance when enforcing dress code. A cocktail server in Maryland will get her day in court to challenge a dress code that required her to wear high heels. She suffers from plantar faciitis (ugh, same) and … Read More
Know the rules before you hire. Several Dunkin Donuts franchises in Massachusetts were just cited and fined for violating the state’s child labor laws. Yes, it still happens and it cost the franchises hundreds of thousands of dollars. The laws … Read More
Dismissing or making assumptions is risky – and bad for workplace culture. You may have to provide a reasonable accommodation for a qualified employee even when you think it is not needed. Say what? Under the Americans with Disabilities Act … Read More
Sigh. Performance reviews are so misunderstood. We frequently hear from employers desperate to terminate an employee but they have excellent reviews. Why? Most employee reviews are like olives: they start with large. Why not give a good review to make … Read More
Severance agreements that do not comply will be void and unenforceable. Remember when we mentioned that many states would be working overtime to counter the federal law swings? Can you say in a New York Minute? In a first, the … Read More
Gwynne Wilcox reinstated. In the latest chapter of “As the Court Turns,” a federal judge has reinstated Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). She had been terminated without cause by the President. The judge came on strong … Read More
Judge Largely Halts Implementation of Anti-DEI Orders Another Friday, another bombshell ruling! A federal judge in MD granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from ending government support for programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. In response to … Read More
It’s important to remember Civics 101 It is important to remember Civics 101: the laws made by Congress cannot be overturned by the Executive Branch. Yet the extent and volume of Executive Orders in the past 27 days is impacting … Read More
What happens when an analog law meets the digital age? Wiretapping, which includes video and audio recording of conversations, requires consent under the law in many states. In Massachusetts, the Wiretap Statute provides criminal and civil penalties in the event … Read More
Keep calm and carry on. Discrimination is illegal. Still. The laws have not changed. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs are not illegal. Preferences and discrimination are illegal–same as it ever was. Why are organizations throwing out the baby with … Read More