Most Popular

News Notes: Latest Developments In Ergonomics

The debate over a national ergonomics standard continues. The Bush administration is currently reviewing the new ergonomics rules, and at least 31 lawsuits have been filed challenging them. Plus, the question of whether there is scientific support for the standard is still open. A long-awaited study by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that some […]

Harassment Allegations Require Immediate Action

As soon as an employee comes to you and says, “I’m being harassed,” you need to address that allegation immediately. It may be that no harassment has actually taken place, but it’s your job to launch a prompt, thorough investigation to find out.

DOL Releases Updated COBRA Model Notices

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) just released updated COBRA Model Notices that reflect the COBRA subsidy extension that was part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. The new COBRA subsidy legislation extends the original federal COBRA subsidy created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 […]

News Notes: Courts Disagree Over Retroactivity Of Disability Bias Law

We earlier reported on a ruling by a California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles that a new law broadening California’s disability bias statutes, effective Jan. 1, 2001, was a major change that could not be applied retroactively. Now a different appeals court in Los Angeles has come to the opposite conclusion, holding that the […]

News Notes: Electronics Retailer Settles Overtime Misclassification Lawsuit

Video game retailer Electronics Boutique of America has agreed to pay $950,000 to settle a lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court charging the company misclassified managers in the retailer’s California stores as exempt from overtime. The lawsuit charged that managers regularly worked overtime without additional pay and spent more than 50 percent of their […]

News Notes: Supreme Court Upholds Tough Standard For Polling Union Workers

The U.S. Supreme Court has clarified the rules for when employers can poll unionized workers about their support for the union.The case involved a Mack Truck dealership that had recently changed ownership. Several employees allegedly made statements to the new employer indicating they did not want to be part of the existing union. When the […]

Termination Lawsuit Risks Reduced? Check!

Terminations are breeding grounds for expensive lawsuits. Yesterday’s Advisor presented the first 7 of 10 questions you should ask before terminating employees. Today we’ll cover questions 8 through 10, plus look at a handy terminations checklist from HR.BLR.com®. 8. Do you have a well-documented business reason for the termination? Generally, if you can produce a […]

Changes Coming Fast and Furious for Government Contractors

Guest Post by: Susan Schoenfeld Senior Legal Editor Business & Legal Resources, Inc. While recently adding new compliance requirement to BLR’s legal analyses for government contractors and affirmative action, I thought about just how many changes have been made to the rules governing affirmative action and requirements for federal government contractors. To name a few […]

Sports Agency and Former Employee Take (non) Competition into Courtroom

By Kyla Stott-Jess Hollywood’s portrayal of sports agencies presents a world that is dramatic and cut-throat, with ambitious sports agents competing for the chance to represent talented athletes. A recent court decision in Alberta brought this competitive business into the courtroom when a sports agency squared off against a former employee. It also provides several […]