Author: Richard Johnston

Incentive plan entitlements on wrongful dismissal

By Richard E. Johnston In Canada, the wording of incentive plans can have a significant impact on the payments required on termination without cause. This point was highlighted by three Ontario decisions earlier this year.

Weather woes give employers much to think about

Natural disasters wreak havoc on all facets of a community. The death toll from fire, flood, wind, snow, and ice is the most obvious concern, but the property damage that can leave people homeless or dealing with serious damage causes problems long after the initial storm passes.  Employers, too, have to deal with loss, damage, […]

Election results halt minimum wage initiatives in two Maine cities

by Connor Beatty On November 3, voters in Portland and Bangor rejected attempts to raise the minimum wage in those cities. In Portland, voters rejected a proposal that would have increased the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. The ordinance would have required all businesses and franchises employing 500 or more employees to raise […]

Houston fails to adopt HERO

by Jacob Monty Monty & Ramirez, LLP On November 3, Houston voters decided the fate of a controversial equal rights law by voting against the adoption of Proposition 1, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). The ordinance attempted to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in city employment, services, and contracts; public accommodations; and […]

‘Tis the season for holiday protests: Retailers, know your rights

by Katherine Siuta O’Shea With the holiday season upon us, nonemployee protesters, whether they’re labor organizers or others, often target retailers in an effort to maximize the reach of their message during the increased seasonal foot traffic. Repeated efforts by nonemployee protesters can be a source of concern for retailers and can have a negative […]

New executive order expands ‘ban the box’ trend

President Barack Obama’s plan to issue a “ban the box” Executive Order may not directly affect nonfederal government employers, but it continues a movement in both the public and private sectors against considering criminal history early in the hiring process. A White House fact sheet issued November 2, the same day Obama traveled to New […]

Cybersecurity bill gives employers plenty to consider

The U.S. House and Senate have both passed versions of a cybersecurity bill that would enable companies to voluntarily share information on cyberattacks. The likelihood that some form of the measure will soon become law means employers need to consider whether or how they should participate. The Senate passed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act on […]

Proposed GINA rule clears up issue on wellness programs

A new proposed rule from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settles the question of whether employers are justified in seeking medical information on covered spouses participating in wellness programs. The proposed rule, published in the October 30 Federal Register, would amend regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The proposed […]

Per Liar Liar, performing background checks on minors can be major issue

Because I’m a lawyer and because my friends know I love movies, people frequently ask me to identify my favorite lawyer-related movies. My personal favorites are My Cousin Vinny, A Few Good Men, and Liar Liar. To the extent you agree or have lawyer-related movies you like as well, feel free to weigh in. As luck would have […]