Imagine the following scenario—an employee alerts you to a current business practice that (potentially) violates relevant regulations. Not long after, you terminate him for performance-related reasons. On the same day...
Employment Law Letter
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently announced new rules for representation case procedures that will come as welcome news to employers. Many of the changes revise the 2014 Obama-era Board's so-called...
In May 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a memorandum permitting the use of drones to inspect workplaces under certain circumstances. Since that time, OSHA has used unmanned aircraft...
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Ohio and Michigan as well as Kentucky and Tennessee, reversed dismissal in the employer's favor after the employee resigned because the company denied her request to...
It's no secret there's a growing trend among companies to develop pet-friendly policies that allow employees to bring their favorite animals to work. The benefits of a pet-friendly workplace—often seen touted across...
The 6th Circuit recently allowed a firefighter's First Amendment retaliation claim to proceed to trial but dismissed his religious discrimination claim. Let's take a look. Facts Peter Hudson worked as a firefighter for...
An employer terminated an employee with chronic foot "issues" because it couldn't accommodate his continuing medical restrictions. When the former employee sued, the employer argued his foot problems didn't constitute a...
The Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) and Minnesota Whistleblower Act (MWA) claims against the University of Minnesota because they were untimely and the MHRA's exclusivity provision...
When it comes to investigating harassment complaints, employers often feel damned if they do and damned if they don't. If the accuser's claim cannot be confirmed, she might sue, and if her complaint is vindicated, the...
The federal appeals court covering Ohio and Michigan (as well as Kentucky and Tennessee) recently affirmed a lower court decision in favor of an employer after finding its former employee couldn't perform her essential...
Finally there's a bit of good news for employers relying on H-1B visas. The H-1B cap lottery will take place in March/April 2020, and they will be able to register electronically in advance for a small fee to find out if...
The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has agreed to pay $95,860 and provide other nonmonetary relief to resolve a credit history discrimination complaint, according to a recent announcement by the Hawaii Civil Rights...
It might be cold outside, but the 2020 election season is heating up. These days, political tension seems to spread like wildfire, and the workplace is no exception. Please note: This article addresses only political...
As we trot forward into 2020, many of my clients are thinking about two very important questions. First, how can they make their businesses more efficient by avoiding employment litigation in state and federal courts...
New England Patriots signal caller Tom Brady is arguably the best quarterback of all time. Many have referred to him as the GOAT—"greatest of all time." That's because of his many Super Bowl victories, the records he has...