While most of us were celebrating the holidays with family and friends, a legal drama stole the spotlight in Hollywood – and it’s far from over. As you might have heard by now, actress Blake Lively has taken legal action against “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios […]
About a third of companies plan to follow Amazon’s lead and issue a return-to-office mandate that requires workers to be in the office five days a week in 2025, according to a recent report from Resume.org. But before your company jumps on the forced RTO bandwagon, you might want to take a look at an […]
When you think about the latest overtime news, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the recent federal court decision that vacated the DOL’s salary threshold increases for exempt employees. And while that ruling was getting the lion’s share of the attention, here’s what you might’ve missed: The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division […]
In a workers’ comp case out of New York, an employee took decking the halls to the next level by imbibing while decorating the workplace. While attempting to retrieve holiday lights from a shelf, the worker fell approximately eight feet from a ladder and suffered serious injuries. A toxicology screening performed at the hospital determined […]
A party at the office is a great way to celebrate the year. Usually filled with food and games, these events develop and strengthen relationships between colleagues and build a better overall team dynamic. But sometimes, employees forget that the regular rules of the workplace still apply — so you’ll want to take steps to […]
Improperly calculating employees’ overtime pay can be an expensive mistake, as a Cincinnati-based logistics provider recently learned the hard way. Here’s what happened – and what the DOL had to say about it. Employer Shortchanged Workers on OT, DOL Finds An investigation by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division determined Liberty Hill Equity Partners LLC […]
According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 122.4 million – or 47% – of U.S. adults have hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure. So statistically speaking, your company is likely to face some kind of employee request related to high blood pressure. For example, some employees may seek FMLA leave for hypertension. […]
This case highlights the importance of making sure managers follow company policies to the letter. When they don’t, it can lead to legal headaches like this one. In Roberts v. Gestamp West Virginia, the Fourth Circuit gave a fired employee a second chance to prove his FMLA interference case. The problem? A supervisor bent the […]
Lyft Inc. recently agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the federal government. Among other things, the company will pay a $2.1 million fine. Here’s what happened – and what HR can learn from it. Recruiting Tactics Face Scrutiny In 2021 and 2022, Lyft made “numerous false and misleading claims” about how much money its […]
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 a daunting task as federal, state and local laws vary significantly. Brightmine’s Employee Handbooks 2024: […]
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 employer is not in violation of the Family Medical Leave Act. Attorney Explains FMLA Entitlement […]
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 company a pretty penny. Case in point: Is Former Employee Eligible for Rehire? In 2023, […]
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 learn from the case. Employee Suffers Migraine, Calls Out In 2018, Ephriam Rodriquez worked as […]
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 strategy you use (or are considering), you’ll probably want to watch a proposed class action […]
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 Found In April 2024, federal OSHA safety investigators visited Universal Recycling Technologies LLC, a recycling […]
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: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a significant piece of legislation because it greatly […]
