A lot has changed since the pandemic started, but perhaps nothing was more impacted than work locations. Many workers who worked a traditional 9-5 were used to the usual commute and problems that office life had. Suddenly, they were opened…
News
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a new notice-of-rights labor law poster for employers to display at their worksites. Under Title VII and other federal laws, covered employers must conspicuously post notices for employees that inform them…
Another holiday season is right around the corner, which means this employer-friendly ruling from the Sixth Circuit provides timely guidance -- just in time for Christmas, Hanukkah and other religious celebrations. The court upheld the terminations of two employees who…
In what has to be a frustrating decision for all employers, Alaska’s highest court ruled that a carpenter who admitted to using both alcohol and cocaine before getting hurt on the job was nonetheless entitled to workers’ comp benefits. The…
Lowe’s, a nationwide hardware and home improvement company, has agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve a sexual harassment complaint brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of three female employees. According to the EEOC’s complaint, Lowe’s “allowed…
The grocery delivery company Instacart has agreed to pay $46.5 million to settle a lawsuit that accused it of wrongfully classifying employees as independent contractors. San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott sued Instacart in September of 2019, just three days…
A New York federal court granted a temporary injunction that ordered a company to stop using “oppressive child labor” and to comply with a Department of Labor (DOL) investigation. According to the DOL, a restaurant violated the child labor provisions…
A newly filed lawsuit accuses pharmaceutical behemoth Lilly USA, LLC, of violating federal law banning age bias by making a conscious effort to reduce the number of older people it employed as pharmaceutical sales representatives. The suit’s allegations raise important…
A Connecticut federal court has ordered three bakeries to pay nearly $1 million in back wages and damages to 74 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The suit was prompted by an investigation by the…
Three newly filed lawsuits highlight the critical importance to HR pros of understanding how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to applicants and employees with mental disabilities. In a span of just five days, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,…
Does the name Amy Cooper ring a bell? You may remember her better as the “Central Park Karen” who was fired after she called the police because a Black man asked her to obey park rules and keep her dog…
There’s no downplaying the benefits of employee wellness and wellness programs. Workplace wellness initiatives can improve morale, boost productivity and lead to overall healthier employees. Recently, employee wellness has taken top priority as workplace stressors like inflation and layoffs rise,…
Did you know that retaliation claims can challenge a broader range of employer conduct than claims of discrimination? A new ruling from a federal appeals court demonstrates the point. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Alaska, Arizona, California,…
Layoffs are never a pleasant subject. But with a recession lurking in the not-too-distant future, it looks like they might be a reality for many companies. That’s why HR professionals must know how to manage layoffs to make it as…
An important new decision from a federal appeals court says a former employee can proceed with claims against her old employer based on a data breach – even though the breach did not lead to identity theft or fraud against…
It’s no secret that the world of hiring is shifting. Between workforce disrupts like COVID-19 and a massive wave of layoffs across the board, recruiting and talent acquisition is becoming more critical than ever Whichever end of the paradox you’re…
