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Sexual harassment by a co-worker
Sexual harassment involves: unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct that is based on sex. Sexually harassing conduct is unlawful if it: adversely af... applies to All States

Arizona paid holidays are not mandatory
In Arizona, employers in the private sector are not required to give employees paid time off for national holidays. As a practical matter, most employers pay for the major holidays to keep competitive... applies to Arizona

Family and Care Giver Discrimination, Harassment and Discharge
Family responsibility discrimination is an emerging area of discrimination law. Although no specific law designates a family care giver as a protected class, a number of laws protect people with famil... applies to Florida

Commissioned retail or service sales exemption to overtime payment
Employment by a retail or service establishment Employees of a retail or service establishment are exempt from overtime if: their regular rate of pay is at least one and one-half times the federal min... applies to All States

Overtime exemption for Computer Professionals
Computer professionals may be exempt from overtime and minimum wage as professional employees , so long as they are paid $455 a week or more on a salaried basis and meet the other requirements of the ... applies to All States

California Non-competition Law
At one time California courts enforced contractual restraints on competition as long as they were reasonably imposed. However, in 1872 California adopted a public policy favoring open competition and ... applies to California

Qualified Privilege Protects Florida Employers from Employee Reference Defamation Suits
An employer is presumed immune from a defamation claim for disclosing untrue information about an employee’s job performance if the untrue information is: 1. Published to a prospective employer; 2. ... applies to Florida

Your Job Title Does Not Determine Whether You Are Exempt from Overtime Compensation
California courts and the Department of Labor have repeatedly held that an employee's title doesn't determine whether he or she should be exempt from receiving overtime compensation. In other words, j... applies to California

The Role of Contracts in Employment Law
Contracts play a central role in employment law. The most basic employment arrangement, at-will employment, is purely contractual in nature. Floyd v. DuBois Soap Co. (1942), 139 Ohio St. 520, 530-531,... applies to All States

Fighting Florida Non-competition agreements
Many Florida employees believe that, just because an employer forced them to sign a non compete agreement or be fired, they are not bound by the non-compete agreement. That is just not true. Continued... applies to Florida

Choice of Law in Non-compete Cases
Non-compete laws vary significantly from state to state. California law favors employees, while Ohio law recognizes and protects most employer interests. Thus, the law that a court chooses to apply to... applies to All States

Hours Worked Under the Fair Labor Standards Act for calculating Overtime
The amount of overtime owed to an employee is the Regular Rate multiplied by the number of Hours Worked during a Workweek . This Article covers Hours Worked. Hours worked includes all time during whic... applies to All States

The Work Week
The workweek is a fixed and regularly recurring period of seven consecutive 24-hour periods. The employer sets the workweek. It can begin on any day and at any hour of the day. An employer may use a w... applies to All States

EEOC Time Limit for Filing a Charge of Discrimination
Before a sexual harassment or other discrimination victim can file suit in federal court, they must first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Feder... applies to All States

Employee Benefits Overview
As a result of the employment relationship, employees are entitled to certain benefits, such as retirement and disability compensation, as a matter of law. In addition, once an employer decides to off... applies to All States

Ohio Minimum Wage with Treble Damages and Attorneys Fees
On November 7, 2006 Ohio voters passed the Ohio Constitutional Minimum Wage , which amended Ohio’s constitution to require employers to pay a minimum wage of $6.85 per hour. The amount of the minimu... applies to Ohio

Sexual Harassment under Illinois Law Defined
The Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/2-102(D) prohibits: Any employer, employee, agent of any employer, employment agency or labor organization to engage in sexual harassment; provided, that an e... applies to Illinois

Outside Sales Employees Exemption from Overtime and Minimum Wage
Section 213(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") exempts outside sales employees from its minimum wage and overtime requirements. The employer has the burden of proving the outside sales exe... applies to All States

Vacation Pay Rights in Ohio at time of Termination
An Ohio employer is not required by law to give its employees any vacation, holiday or other paid time off. Accordingly, when an employer provides paid vacation, it can establish the rules under which... applies to Ohio

Tired Truckers: How the Tracy Morgan Crash is a Sign of a Bigger Problem
Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, and in an industry that pushes the limits on production, tired truck drivers are often the result. The recent tractor trailer... applies to North Carolina

Overview of U.S. Non-competition Agreements
A non-competition agreement, also know as a covenant not to compete, is a promise by an employee not to compete with his or her employer for a specified time, in a particular place or in a particular ... applies to All States

Regular Rate of Pay for Calculating Overtime Pay
Overtime is calculated based on the employee’s actual, or “regular rate” of pay. The regular rate of pay includes not only the normal hourly rate, but all compensation for employment paid to, or... applies to All States

Retaliatory Counterclaims in Sexual Harassment Suits
If a party accused of sexual harassment in a suit (the Defendant) files a counterclaim against the harassment victim (the Plaintiff) after the Plaintiff filed suit, because she filed suit, courts will... applies to Ohio

Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. 42 USC 12101 et seq. A qualified individual with a disability is an individual with ... applies to All States

Whistleblower Protection for Safety Complaints in Ohio
Ohio Employees can make legally protected complaints about unsafe work conditions to their employers and to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). OSHA specifically prohibits employ... applies to Ohio

Florida wrongful discharge law
Florida law does not recognize a “wrongful termination” or "wrongful discharge" claim, at least by that name. Florida is an at-will state, which means that an employer may fire, demote, hire, prom... applies to Florida

Preliminary Injunctions in Non-competition Cases
A preliminary injunction is a court order, issued at the beginning of a case, which preserves the relative position of the parties while the case is pending. It usually remains in effect until replace... applies to All States

Implied Contract exception to Employment at-will
In general, under the employment-at-will doctrine, the employment relationship between employer and employee is terminable at the will of either. See At-will Employment . In Mers v. Dispatch Printing ... applies to Ohio

Executive Orders affecting Unions issued by the Obama Administration.
President Barack Obama signed a series of executive orders in his first month in office favorable to organized labor. They include: Notification of employee rights under federal labor laws ; Economy i... applies to All States

Sexual Harassment Protections in New York
Everyone deserves a workplace free from sexual harassment. What types of sexual harassment violate the law? What protections do you have under New York sexual harassment laws? And what should you do i... applies to New York

Overtime Wages When Carrying and Using a Pager or Cell Phone After-hours for Your Employer
Employees are often asked to carry a pager or cell phone after regular work hours to respond to customer calls or emergencies. Sometimes, the employee is not compensated for the time spent carrying th... applies to All States

Florida Whistleblower's Act Protects Employees of the Government and Companies that Contract with Florida Governments
The Florida legislature enacted the Florida whistleblower's Act, Fl. Stat. 112.3187 in 1986 to prevent state and local government agencies ("Agencies,") and the companies that contract with Agencies (... applies to Florida

Overview of COBRA Health Insurance Continuation Rights
COBRA is a federal law that requires group health plans to continue covering an employee after the employee's employment has ended. COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act,... applies to All States

Injunctions Barring Enforcement of Invalid Non-competes
Employers who enforce non-competition agreements have long sought temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions to bar employees from violating valid non-competition agreements. Cour... applies to All States

Family and Medical Leave Act 2008 Rule Changes.
The Department of Labor issued final changes to its Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rules, which took effect on January 16, 2009. These changes include the new leave related to military service me... applies to All States

The Role of Seniority in Employment Law
The concept of seniority has a high level of importance in employment law. For example, if there is a conflict between a bona fide seniority system and an agreement to settle a discrimination claim, i... applies to All States

Interrogatories in Employment Litigation
Each case turns on its own facts. However, employment litigants rarely have all of the facts that they need to prove their claims in their possession. Instead, they must usually obtain documents and t... applies to All States

Exempt or Nonexempt: Do You Receive Overtime Pay?
When it comes to the idea of overtime pay, most think that only the laborer, manufacturer or other "blue collar" worker is eligible to receive overtime, not the professional, executive, supervisor or ... applies to California

Severance Pay can reduce Ohio Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Severance pay in Ohio can reduce or eliminate an employee's unemployment compensation benefits for the weeks that the severance pay is received. If an employer pays severance pay in a lump sum, the Oh... applies to Ohio

Pennsylvania Non-competition agreements
“Non-competition” or “noncompete” agreements are one of a particular kind of contract, termed “restrictive covenants,” under Pennsylvania law. As in most states, noncompetition agreements ... applies to Pennsylvania

WARN Act Requires 60 Days Notice for Plant Closings and Mass Layoffs
The Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act ("WARN") requires employers to provide 60 days advance written notice of a "plant closing" and "mass layoffs." This article defines a mass layoff ... applies to All States

Same-sex Harassment Claims
Claims of sexual harassment where the harasser and harassed are the same sex are analyzed in much the same way as different-sex harassment cases. See, generally, Sexual harassment by a co-worker . How... applies to All States

Negotiating Severance Agreements
Parties bargaining to reach a mutually acceptable outcome must, as with any negotiation: Have a shared desire to resolve the dispute; Identify the interests at stake; Invent options for mutual gain; S... applies to All States

Families First Coronavirus Response Act - An analysis of House Bill 6201
On March 19, 2020 the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to address some employment impacts of the coronavirus and COVID-19. It was a much smaller version of the Act that passed... applies to All States

Trade Secrets Overview
A trade secret is information that is not known to the public, that its owner takes steps to keep from public knowledge and that has value because it is not known to the public. The owners of trade se... applies to All States

Overview of American At-will Employment
American employment law is built on the foundation of at-will employment. Before any meaningful body of employment law existed, employment in America was at-will. Based in state contract law, at-will ... applies to All States

Michigan Non-competition Agreement Law
The Michigan Antitrust Reform Act generally prohibits any "contract, combination, or conspiracy between 2 or more persons in restraint of, or to monopolize, trade or commerce." Mich. Comp. Laws § 445... applies to Michigan

Document Requests in Employment Litigation
Each case turns on its own facts. However, the parties rarely have in their possession all of the facts in a case. Instead, they must usually obtain documents and testimony from the opposing party and... applies to All States

Physician non-competition agreements in Michigan
Michigan non-competition agreement law states that an employer may protect an employer's reasonable competitive business interests, but its protection in terms of duration, geographical scope, and the... applies to Michigan

Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act
The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act governs when Illinois employers must pay employee wages and commissions, prohibits most deductions from employee pay, requires notice for changes in pay an... applies to Illinois

Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions
The Fair Labor Standards Act (the "FLSA") excludes individuals from coverage and exempts others from overtime and/or the minimume wage. The FLSA excludes individuals in the definition of "employee" in... applies to All States

Guide to Employer FMLA Notices with DOL Approved FMLA Forms
A. Employer Notices The 2008 FMLA regulations require four separate types of Employer notices: “General notice,” which means the poster listing employees’ FMLA rights, plus a new a requirement t... applies to All States

Who should have to pay back overpaid Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
The majority of contested NC unemployment benefits cases we handle involve the following situation: The Claimant (former employee) files for unemployment benefits. The Employer gives the Division of E... applies to North Carolina

Tortious Interference Involving Non-Competition Agreements
In most states, a third party cannot interfere with the contractual or prospective business relationships between two other parties, absent a proper purpose. This claim is known as “tortious interfe... applies to All States

Illinois Non-competition Agreement Law
Illinois courts are reluctant to enforce restrictive covenants and scrutinize them carefully. Nevertheless, Illinois courts will enforce a restrictive covenant if it is ancillary to another transactio... applies to Illinois

Indiana Non-competition Law
Indiana courts disfavor covenants not to compete, which they view as in restraint of trade. Harvest Ins. Agency, Inc. v. Inter-Ocean Ins. Co. 492 N.E.2d 686 (Ind. 1986). Indiana courts strictly constr... applies to Indiana

Evidence in Discrimination Cases
Discrimination cases turn on the employer's motive for taking an employment action, like failing to hire or firing an employee. The employee must prove that the employer's bias against people in the e... applies to All States

Cleveland Public Relations Firm Ordered to Pay a Million Dollars for Retaliation
A Cleveland jury ordered Dix & Eaton, a public relations firm, to pay over $1,000,000 for retaliating against a 59 year old executive who complained to Human Resources that her boss was setting he... applies to Ohio

3 Basic Points About Employee Rights You Need To Know
3 Basic Points About Employee Rights You Need To Know Have you ever wondered what would happen if you lost your job because you were in an accident and needed time off? What if a new manager was hired... applies to All States

4 Things To Know About Leaves Of Absence And Wrongful Termination
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you became very ill suddenly and couldn’t go to work? What if your child or spouse became ill or he or she was severely injured in an accident; would ... applies to California

Burden of Proof in Age Discrimination cases after Gross v. FBL Financial Services
Last month's U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gross v. FBL Financial Services changed the burden of proof on age discrimination victims. Previously, courts required age discrimination victims to prove tha... applies to All States

Settlement Term Sheets not binding, Settlement Agreements are
January 22, 2020 Under New York law a financial services professional in his late 50s, who fires his first law firm then proceeds to mediation with a new law firm during which he signs a settlement te... applies to New York

Can my employer ask about my race?
Can an employer ask an employee or an applicant about their race? The short answer is technically no. In some states, it is legal for an employer to inquire about an employee or an applicant’s r... applies to California

Don't Be Afraid, It Can Be Better Than Court
If you are in California and are being forced into private, binding arbitration do not be afraid. I have found that it is easier to win a binding arbitration than a jury trial. The atmosphere is more ... applies to California

4 Ways Employment Law Addresses Sex Discrimination
In 2019, especially in California, society has gravitated to a more forward-thinking attitude towards the way sex and gender is understood. Ideas of what is considered “normal” or the very... applies to California

6 Nuances of Disability Discrimination Law in California
Under California state law, workers with a disability are protected against several forms of discrimination in employment practices. Employers subject to this legislation cannot base employment decisi... applies to California

7 Famous Whistle blowers Who Sought Truth and Justice
While most whistleblower cases do not make headlines, some of them do because of the scope of wrongdoing found or the fame of the businesses or people involved. Whistleblower laws protecting people wh... applies to California

What Are My Employment Rights if I am or Become Pregnant?
As society continues to advance, Americans are living longer, maintaining their car eers, and deciding to have children a little later in life. Most adults today want it all and employment laws, espec... applies to All States

3 Examples of How “Me too” Matters in Employment Law
Since 2017, “me too” has become an increasingly familiar term (and hashtag), one used to spread awareness of sexual harassment and assault, problems that are alarmingly widespread. By some... applies to California

How People Have Fought Against Discrimination
Many employees face discrimination . The ADA, ADEA, Title VII Civil Rights Act and OSHA’ s whistleblower laws help females, minorities, disabled or mentally challenged employees either get and k... applies to All States

4 Things You Should Know About Pregnancy and Employment Laws
Women should not be discouraged from pursuing their dream of having a family while also maintaining their career. There are laws in place that provide security for women who are pregnant or have pregn... applies to California

5 Employees who are Targets of Discrimination and/or Wrongful Termination
5 Employees who are Targets of Discrimination and/or Wrongful Termination Employees in California are considered at-will employees . This means if you are employed in California, unlike other States, ... applies to All States

3 Examples of Invasions of Privacy in the Workplace
Unlike other states, California has a special protection of privacy written into its constitution, which says citizens have certain inalienable rights, including “pursuing and obtaining safety, ... applies to California

What Is The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 ( Pub.L. 95–555 ) amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. This Act outlaws discrimination “o... applies to California

3 Upcoming Job Discrimination Cases with Huge Implications for LGBT Rights
The Supreme Court will soon be deciding on a matter very personal to people who are part of, or allies of, the LGBT (or LGBTQIA+) community. The major issue they are expected to rule on in three upcom... applies to California

3 Reasons to Get Things in Writing in Employment Law
Many people are excited at the prospect of a new job, and most do not predict it will lead to anything but income and perhaps some satisfaction at work well done. People do not usually expect for thei... applies to California

A History of Harassment in the Workplace
Few federal agencies are as beloved as the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS stands for many of the core values that we value as a nation. It is the place where we seek beauty and wonder and solace... applies to California

4 Steps that employer have to do to protect employees from sexual harassment
1- An anti-harassment policy Having a written sexual harassment prevention policy in place is not only a good measure for stopping sexual harassment before it happens, but California employers are als... applies to All States

3 Examples of Invasions of Privacy in the Workplace
Unlike other states, California has a special protection of privacy written into its constitution, which says citizens have certain inalienable rights, including “pursuing and obtaining safety, ... applies to California

3 Examples of Invasions of Privacy in the Workplace
Unlike other states, California has a special protection of privacy written into its constitution, which says citizens have certain inalienable rights, including “pursuing and obtaining safety, ... applies to California

Can I Sue A Company For Wrongful Termination In California?
“We need to talk” is not just a terrifying phrase to hear from your significant other, it is also something you never want to hear from your boss. No good can come from the phrase and if i... applies to All States

3 Types of Issues Employment Lawyers May Handle
From suing a dry cleaning service for losing a pair of pants to filing for the return of a kidney, people today will sue for the craziest things. In order to sue for all of these wacky claims, there n... applies to All States

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