Tag: news

Utah case puts same-sex marriage issue on track to go before Supreme Court

Utah’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage suffered another blow in a June 25 ruling from the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and that ruling makes it likely that the issue of same-sex marriage will go before the U.S. Supreme Court. The 10th Circuit’s decision upheld a December 2013 federal district court ruling that struck […]

New Wyoming law defines misconduct for unemployment benefits

by Bradley T. Cave A new law taking effect on July 1 defines “misconduct” in Wyoming’s unemployment benefits statute. The definition outlines the circumstances in which a former employee will be disqualified from unemployment benefits. Wyoming law already states that an employee will be disqualified from benefits if the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) […]

Flexible work, job protection, paid leave at heart of White House summit

by Tammy Binford President Barack Obama is launching a new effort aimed at increasing protections, opportunities, and wages for workers to create what the White House envisions as a 21st century workplace. The president, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden are hosting the White House Summit on Working Families […]

Houston Equal Rights Ordinance to take effect

by Michael P. Maslanka Houston employers need to be ready for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which will take effect June 27. The new law adds to the protected classes already covered under federal and state law. Here’s a look at the major aspects of the law. Covered employers. During the first year, companies […]

ASA, OSHA Form Training Alliance for Temporary Workers

At the American Staffing Association Staffing Law Conference, the heads of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Staffing Association (ASA) signed an alliance agreement to help provide ASA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect the health and safety of temporary workers. […]

New Tennessee wrongful discharge law favorable to employers

by David Johnson A new Tennessee law going into effect on July 1 puts a cap on damages employees can collect in wrongful termination claims. Public Chapter 995 affects the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA), the Tennessee Public Protection Act (TPPA), and the Tennessee Disability Act (TDA). The new law imposes a cap on compensatory […]

New Alabama law opens door to erase certain criminal convictions

by Whitney Brown A new Alabama law taking effect July 7 allows individuals to apply to have certain criminal proceedings expunged, meaning an applicant will be excused from disclosing the offense on employment applications. Offenses must be misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies, and charges must have been dismissed, been “no-billed” by a grand jury, been dismissed […]

Obama plans Executive Order against sexual orientation bias by contractors

by Tammy Binford Continuing his use of Executive Orders in what’s being called a “year of action,” President Barack Obama plans to sign an order to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to news reports. On June 16, news reports quoted a White House official as […]

New Wyoming law will help employers protect their computer systems

by Bradley T. Cave A Wyoming law going into effect on July 1 creates a new criminal offense—computer trespassing—that may give employers a new tool to prevent employee sabotage. Computer trespassing occurs when a person knowingly and without authorization sends malware, data, or a program that (1) alters or damages a computer, system, or network […]