Author: Tammy Binford

Uber class action ruling expected to have national implications

A San Francisco judge’s ruling granting class action status to possibly thousands of Uber drivers carries implications that “go well beyond California,” according to an attorney closely watching the case. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled September 1 that a group of Uber drivers in California can sue as a class as they argue that […]

marijuana

Drug tests, marijuana use, and the EEOC

by Burton J. Fishman Employers are beginning to comprehend how the widespread availability of medical marijuana will affect the workplace. Newly garbed with medical justification, more workers are claiming a “right” to use marijuana at work. Employers, confronted with a note from the ever-more- aptly-named “Dr. Feelgood” authorizing employees’ use of the drug, are often […]

View your mistakes as a learning opportunity, not as a failure

by Dan Oswald Sometimes it’s not about how you win but how you lose. That was the lesson Coach Dave Belisle taught his Rhode Island baseball team last year when they lost 8-7 in a Little League World Series elimination game. This video clip shows the story of the team and the words the coach […]

Zero tolerance for stalking on company time

by Chuck Harrison A single incident of misconduct can still justify the termination of a unionized employee’s employment. So ruled a labor arbitrator in British Columbia recently. In Fortis Energy Inc., (February 16, 2015) the employee had engaged in an incident of stalking and intimidation of his wife’s supervisor. Compounding his offense, he did this […]

Restricting employers’ use of credit checks and why Mr. Robot agrees

If you’re like me, you don’t necessarily equate the USA network with riveting and innovative television. While the network has respectable ratings, I can’t help but tune out when I see a commercial for Suits, Graceland or Royal Pains (apologies to those fans of the show—I believe you, I’m sure they’re good). In fact, although […]

Employer can—and should—investigate off-duty dispute between employees

Sometimes employees just don’t get along, and employers know they need to intervene when harassing and even threatening behavior occurs on the job. But should the employer launch an investigation if coworkers trade harsh words after hours away from the workplace?  That was a question put to a group of attorneys who focus on workplace […]

New NLRB standard exposes more employers to union, other pressures

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has adopted a new and broader standard of what constitutes joint employment by taking a stand that abandons a long-accepted standard in favor of one the Board claims better reflects “the current economic landscape.” The new view of joint employment will bring major change not just to employers using […]

‘Ban-the-box’ movement making its way across the country

by Tara Eberline Individuals from Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, to former President Bill Clinton have contended that people are more than the worst thing they have ever done. It is a sentiment that many people desire—at least when viewing their own foibles. And now some employers across the country are using […]

Choose the riskier path and follow your dreams

by Dan Oswald Comedian Jim Carrey is well known for his high energy and incredibly silly impressions and comedic routines. His movie roles have included characters such as Ace Ventura, the hapless pet detective, Lloyd Christmas, one-half of the Dumb and Dumber duo, and the Grinch from Dr. Seuss fame. When a colleague shared this […]