Sometimes, the payment of bonuses is at the discretion of the employer. But at other times, bonus payments are required under the terms of an applicable employment agreement. When that is the case – and the bonuses aren't paid –…
Employment Law
Intrusive, intimate questions. Unwanted physical contact. A senior official publicly engaging in inappropriate conduct at an office holiday party. That’s what happened at a county public defender’s office, according to a sexual harassment complaint submitted to the California Civil Rights…
HR pros can learn a lot about how to deal with alleged race discrimination at work from a new federal appeals court decision. The appeals court rejected the appeal of two former employees and upheld a ruling for the employer.…
Having trouble deciding whether an employee is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? A ruling from a federal appeals court in a case from Texas provides some help. The court ruled that a highly compensated employee -- a…
It’s one thing to have a workplace where morale is low and people just aren’t happy, but it’s quite another to have a work environment that crosses the legal line into unlawful discrimination. As an HR pro, you obviously want…
A California judge has approved a $43.25 million settlement resolving a class-action lawsuit that alleged The Walt Disney Company violated equal pay principles by paying male employees more than female employees for similar work. The settlement ends a six-year…
Normally, an employee’s travel or commuting time is not compensable travel time under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. But when employees travel overnight and stay away from home, different rules apply. A federal appeals court FLSA decision in a…
Employees who have experienced workplace discrimination are far more likely to be quietly polishing their resumes, according to ADP’s People at Work 2025: A Global Workforce View. The survey drew from a stratified random sample of nearly 38,000 working adults.…
Female employees in Michigan said they endured ongoing sexual harassment at work – but management didn’t step in to stop it. That’s when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) got involved – and the company now faces a six-figure settlement.…
How bad does a job action have to be to create a right to sue? Sometimes, the answer is easy. For example, if an employee is terminated or demoted for a bad reason, that clearly counts as an adverse employment…
A new decision from a federal appeals court has an important message for HR pros about the scope of the ADA’s ban on retaliation. The message: The ADA’s anti-retaliation provision is expansive, and it can even be used by employees…
In today's digital age, social media has blurred the lines between personal and professional lives. A post made outside of work hours can quickly become visible to colleagues, clients, and the public, sometimes causing workplace disruption or damaging an employer's…
More women are speaking up about menopause challenges at work – and Rhode Island has become the first state to make menopause accommodation a legal requirement. The Ocean State’s latest workplace law took effect on June 24, 2025, requiring employers…
When employees raise disability discrimination concerns, employers face a critical choice: engage properly or face legal consequences. Recent EEOC settlements totaling $110,000 show what can happen when companies get it wrong. Remote Work Accommodation Request Denied In Georgia, an employee…
Do you know what it means to be a “similarly situated” employee under the law? It’s important to have a clear grasp of this employment law concept, especially if you are contemplating or implementing a group layoff. A recent decision…
A recent court ruling shows how a sex-based rumor crossed the line into harassment. It highlights risks HR faces when rumors go unchecked – and the actions needed to prevent hostile work environments and retaliation claims. Here are the details…
