The pay transparency trend has been strong for the past couple of years and will get another major boost in 2025. At least five more states—Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont—are lined up to have pay transparency laws take…
Employment Law
The rise of remote and hybrid work models has transformed today’s modern workplace and presents significant challenges for multistate employers, particularly when it comes to compliance and managing employee handbooks. Staying up to date with constantly changing labor laws is…
Here's a tricky question for you: Should an employee still be considered on FMLA leave when he's answering work email or phone calls? Yes, as long as the employee is only answering email or calls on a sporadic basis, his…
As an HR professional, you know some conversations must be handled carefully to avoid a retaliation lawsuit. But sometimes your managers, including company leaders in the C-suite, may not realize that – and their words can end up costing the…
An employee who was fired after an absence related to migraines filed an FMLA lawsuit against his former employer. The Third Circuit recently issued its second ruling in the long-running legal dispute. Here’s what happened – and what HR can…
With open enrollment season underway, you’re probably looking for ways to offer a competitive benefits package – without blowing the budget. One common way to help keep costs in line is to implement a tobacco surcharge. And if that’s a…
A recycling plant in Wisconsin faces more than $202,000 in penalties after OSHA found repeat violations at a follow-up inspection. The case provides yet another example of how exposure to chemical hazards can be expensive for employers. Ongoing Chemical Hazards…
Lilly Ledbetter, a former Goodyear employee who became the face of the pay equity movement, died last month at age 86. Here’s a look at her story, legacy and the fair pay legislation named in her honor. First things first:…
A national employer is the latest to find itself on the wrong end of an OSHA whistleblower investigation. Here’s what happened at a Georgia worksite that turned out to be a six-figure mistake. Terminations Prompt Whistleblower Investigation CSX Transportation is…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024-25 term opened this week – and several employment issues are already on the docket. Here are six cases that need to be on your radar: On the Supreme Court’s Calendar Here's what's on the Court's…
Word to the wise: When OSHA comes knocking, take the visit seriously the first time around. Otherwise, the penalties can really pile up, as a boat manufacturer in Florida recently learned the hard way. Here’s what happened. Workplace Safety and…
Heads up, HR: The EEOC has recently taken several employers to task for alleged pregnancy discrimination in violation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). In early September, the agency filed its first-ever PWFA lawsuit and negotiated its first successful…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its Top 10 frequently cited workplace safety violations in FY 2024, according to a National Safety Council press release. For the 14th straight year, Fall Protection-General Requirements tops the list of OSHA’s…
Addressing workplace safety concerns, Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Retail Worker Safety Act,” which requires retail employers in New York to develop and implement training programs and policies to help prevent workplace violence. The new legislation applies to employers…
A federal jury in Washington state has returned a $237.6 million verdict in favor of a Black employee who filed a racial bias suit. The verdict, which is subject to appeal, includes $198 million in punitive damages. Tahvio Gratton began…
Every HR pro knows how important it is to avoid illegal interview questions. After all, no one wants to be known as that person who got their company involved in a legal mess. And while some illegal interview questions are…