Drug testing is a tool commonly used by employers to ensure employees are not illegally using controlled substances at the workplace. But that tool does not come without legal risk. A recent decision by the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals brings to light an interesting intersection between drug testing and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case—and its implications—are discussed in detail below.
How does Alabama’s stay-at-home order impact Families First Act?
On Friday, April 3, 2020, Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris signed a stay-at-home order which closed all nonessential businesses and workplaces. The question many employers are asking is whether the stay-at-home order triggers emergency p
Regulations have been issued to implement Families First Act
For those of you who may not have heard, the Families First Act is now in effect. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website is full of frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) pages that are of use, but moments ago we received regulations. These regulation
Small-business exemptions of the Families First Act
As discussed previously, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Famlies First Act) requires employers to provide paid sick leave and expanded Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) time. However, the act provided that the Secretary of Labor could exem
IRS issues guidance providing payroll relief to employers covered by Families First Act
In a guidance document issued on its website, the IRS announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost o
SBA loans are available as part of relief for COVID-19 pandemic
Updated on March 31, 2020, with the changes made to the CARES Act that became law on March 27, 2020. Update: The U.S. Treasury Department has posted an application form for the Paycheck Protection Program. More information about the Paycheck Protecti
Jan
31
Jan
08
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.
Nov
02
It’s no secret that training managers about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can appear to be expensive for employers. But what happens when managers haven’t received enough training on the FMLA?
Oct
12
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.
Oct
05
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.