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Employment Law

DOL wants feedback on proposed worker classification survey

02/19/2013
The DOL is planning to survey workers on their knowledge of basic employment laws, so it can gauge their experiences with worker misclassification. Beware: This may be the best indication yet that the DOL is planning to crack down on employers that misclassify employees as independent contractors.

Different punishments for breaking same rule? Cite specifics to justify harsher discipline

02/18/2013

It’s reasonable to expect employees to obey your work rules. But employees can also reasonably expect you to apply those rules fairly. If you don’t, you risk a lawsuit. That’s why it is crucial to be specific when documenting discipline.

Have ‘the talk’ to stop hostile environment

02/18/2013

You can’t fire everyone who makes a stupid comment—or even two. But you also can’t ignore insensitive or offensive speech, just hoping for the best. The best approach is direct: Pull the employee aside and explain that neither you nor the company tolerate racist, sexist, ageist or other offensive comments …

Same offense, different discipline: Show why harsher punishment was warranted

02/18/2013
Even when two or more employees break the same rule, each may not deserve the same punishment. But if you don’t document why each case is different, a judge or jury could decide that discrimination was your motive for punishing one employee more severely.

Degree is required, but can a raise hinge on it?

02/15/2013

Q. A job description says “a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience” is required. An employee in that job has proven he can do everything the job description entails and then some. Is it legal to tell him the raise (within reason) cannot be justified to the board of directors be­­cause he doesn’t have a college degree? 

Does a drug charge always warrant a drug screen?

02/13/2013

Q. If we see in the local paper that one of our employees has been charged with possession of an illegal substance, is that enough cause to have him take a drug screen? 

Just 3 days of harassment can indeed create a hostile work environment

02/08/2013

Usually, courts considering whether an employee worked in a sexually hostile environment will look at a period of weeks, months or years to assess whether the alleged har­assment was “severe and pervasive” enough to become truly hostile. But sometimes just a few days will do the trick.

Supreme Court to decide burden of proof in Title VII retaliation cases

02/07/2013
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could answer a crucial question when an employee who is a member of a protected class alleges retaliation: Must he prove his protected status was the sole motive for retaliation, or can it be just one of many possible reasons?

Long Island restaurants can’t duck fair pay

02/07/2013
A chain of three Long Island Asian restaurants will pay more than $1 million in back wages and penalties to 255 current and former employees who were underpaid.

Court: ‘Depression’ no excuse for late filing

02/07/2013
A federal court recently decided to strictly enforce filing deadlines for employment discrimination claims in­­stead of extending them for employees electing to represent themselves. It’s a step toward limiting late claims.