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Will President Barack Obama’s recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) stand? Some in the business community and Congress hope not, and they’re taking action. Two House actions have been filed in opposition to the appointments: H.R. 3770, sponsored by Representative Jeff Landry (R-LA.), would amend federal law “to provide that payment for […]
Public-sector employers in California are facing an array of challenges in 2012 — declining revenues, out-of-control costs, fading reserves, and “a slew of bills further hobbling public agencies’ ability to control costs,” according to Jonathan Holtzman, a partner with Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP in San Francisco. Here’s a look at some new laws affecting […]
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a church’s right under the First Amendment to fire an employee who was a minister despite federal antidiscrimination laws. The case, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, marks the first time the Supreme Court has recognized the First Amendment-based ministerial […]
The calendar now says 2012, but employers may notice that their Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) carry a December 31, 2011, expiration date. What to do? For now, just keep using the old forms. The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has submitted the forms for […]
President Barack Obama’s decision to use recess appointments to keep the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from losing its quorum has ignited a firestorm of opposition among lawmakers and business groups. Obama announced his intent on January 4 to use recess appointments to fill three open NLRB seats. The Board, which is supposed to have […]
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is again delaying implementation of its rule requiring most employers to display a poster explaining employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The delay comes at the request of the federal court in Washington, D.C., that is hearing a legal challenge regarding the rule. The new implementation date […]
On December 21, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced the adoption of a final rule that is expected to allow quicker union representation elections. The rule was published in the Federal Register on December 22. The rule, which is to take effect on April 30, 2012, is a scaled down version of amendments proposed […]
Time is running out to cast your votes in the ABA Journal’s fifth Annual Blawg 100 contest to choose the most popular law blogs. To vote for your favorites, go to abajournal.com/blawg100 by December 30. The blogs are divided into 12 categories, and voters are allowed 12 votes. But you are allowed to vote more […]
by Jonathan C. Sterling Earlier this year, Connecticut became the first state to enact a law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave for employees. The law takes effect January 1, and the Connecticut Department of Labor recently published guidance on its website to assist employers in complying with the new law. Read the […]
The minimum wage in Vermont will increase to $8.46 per hour from $8.15 per hour on January 1, 2012, according to a statement from the Vermont Department of Labor. The state minimum wage increases at the same rate as the Consumer Price Index, as calculated in August, for the preceding year or at five percent, […]