Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Not so many years ago employers emphasized the importance of drug-free workplace policies—policies that often included zero-tolerance provisions. But as marijuana laws have undergone significant change in recent years, it’s time to give a second look to policies that may not have been updated in years. Peter Lowe, an attorney with Brann & Isaacson in […]
A federal appeals court may soon deepen the divide on a question that has recently plagued the courts: whether federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
These days, just about anyone with an Internet connection and some time on their hands enjoys a wonder of the modern age: binge-watching. One of the first, and still one of my favorites, is Netflix’s House of Cards. No matter how over-the-top the plot twists become, no matter how difficult it is to follow the […]
by Peter Lowe In April, Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the U.S. Supreme Court late in the term. Because Gorsuch is known for adhering to the letter of the law, his confirmation was seen as good news for employers. As his first term comes to an end and the Court starts to release the bigger, headline-making […]
by Hannah Roskey When contemplating acquiring the assets of a company in Canada, the purchaser will engage in extensive due diligence to ensure it is making a sound investment. These searches almost always include inquiries with the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) in the relevant province. A poor result, with outstanding claims and high premiums, might […]
Knowing what to do when someone suffers the loss of a loved one isn’t easy, especially in the workplace, where some people are open about personal relationships and others strive for separation between their work and personal lives. But no matter an employee’s thinking, certain situations—particularly a death in the family—make explanations at work necessary. […]
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that imposes minimum wage, overtime, record-keeping, and child labor requirements. Although the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the FLSA, employees may file their own lawsuits under the Act. A lawsuit may be an individual action or a collective action, which is similar to a […]
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 […]
Anyone tasked with wading through stacks of resumes and talking to applicants lined up for interviews understands how frustrating and time-consuming hiring can be. It’s understandable that people in charge of hiring crave out-of-the-box solutions. But how far should employers go in their efforts to weed out applicants who clearly won’t be a good fit? […]
by Elaine C. Young The employment-based immigration bar is bracing for heightened worksite enforcement from the Trump administration. To be sure, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) engaged in plenty of worksite enforcement during the Obama years. But the sentiment among the immigration bar, as we review updated policy memoranda and attend conferences at which […]