Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to all Texas employers) has determined that the COVID-19 pandemic is not considered a natural disaster, thus it is not an exception to the federal law that requires businesses to give employees advance notice of mass layoffs. Employers could find themselves liable for mass layoffs […]
One of the most sweeping economic changes arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is the shift from in-person to remote working. Although many employees have returned to working on location again, factors indicate the labor market has evolved to accommodate remote workers more permanently. With the shift comes state tax and other employment […]
Conducting investigations of disputed workplace events is a routine responsibility for HR leaders. Faced with disputed facts, employers can make reasonable fact determinations based on a diligent probe and still obtain summary dismissal of a discrimination claim. A recent decision from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals confirms how employers can best ensure the […]
Arbitration is a creature of agreement, and no right or obligation to arbitrate exists without a mutual agreement. Is an electronic acknowledgement on an employer’s web platform enough to prove the agreement?
We visit the doctor and the optometrist once a year and our dentists at least twice a year. Why? We attend the appointments not because they’re necessarily fun but because they’re vital for maintaining good health and wellness. They provide assurance that if things aren’t so good, we have the chance to correct course. All […]
Employers must be careful to preserve their rights and not cavalierly ignore the need to present their point of view. A recent case before the Arkansas Court of Appeals illustrates what can happen when an employer doesn’t bother to appear and present evidence opposing a claim for unemployment compensation.
Aggressive regulatory action and an increase in workplace safety claims, including many related to the COVID-19 pandemic, have fueled a rise in labor and employment (L&E) collective claims, including “follow-on” class actions, according to Carlton Fields’ 2022 class action survey.
Voluntary arbitration agreements involving federal law are enforced under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Section 1 of the FAA exempts certain classes of workers, however, from the enforcement of arbitration. The U.S. Supreme Court recently resolved a federal circuit court split over whether employees who load cargo for the transportation of goods are engaged in […]
Is it summer already? I wish that meant it’s only mango season in Florida. Unfortunately, it also signals the start of another hurricane season. Here are tips on how to prepare your business.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) prohibit an employer from discriminating against an individual who is (1) disabled within the statutes’ meaning and (2) qualified to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation. Once an employee discloses the need for a reasonable accommodation, […]