HDR thirdshift
Jan
08

HR mistakes just got more expensive

As anyone involved in litigation will tell you, violations of labor laws have never been cheap. But they are now more expensive than ever. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently increased penalties for a variety of violations, which became effective on January 2, 2018.

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Oct
12

Sexual harassment litigation is expensive

As the latest news cycle reminds us, sexual harassment continues to plague American workplaces. In addition to affecting leadership confidence, employee morale, and public opinion, claims of sexual harassment carry with them another negative: Litigating sexual harassment claims is expensive.

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Oct
05

Employers can’t adopt a broad no-recording rule

On June 1, 2017, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a decision of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) about an employer rule barring employees from making recordings without prior approval.

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Sep
22

Sexual-orientation discrimination has reached the U.S. Supreme Court

Update on Bostock and Zarda: On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision involving the Bostick, Zarda, and Harris Funeral Homes cases. The court held that an employer who fires a person merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII. The Harris Funeral Homes is discussed in another blog post.

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Sep
20

New overtime regulations ruled invalid

Update: On October 30, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) filed a notice to appeal this decision to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Once this appeal is docketed, the DOL will file a motion to hold the appeal in abeyance while the department undertakes further rulemaking to determine what the salary level should be.

The Obama Administration issued new regulations about overtime that were to take effect on December 1, 2016. Just before they were to take effect, a U.S. district court in Texas enjoined the regulations. So since about December 1, 2016, employers have been in legal limbo about what’s going to happen.

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