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Florida

Florida Supreme Court sides with employees in fee dispute

12/09/2008

It just became more expensive for employers and their workers’ compensation carriers to handle workplace injuries. The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that attorneys representing injured workers are entitled to “reasonable attorneys’ fees,” which can far exceed those set by the workers’ compensation statute.

‘Sunshine Troublemaker’ puts heat on school districts

12/09/2008

Encouraged by a victory in Polk County Circuit Court, Lakeland resident and public-records gadfly Joel Chandler submitted public records requests to the state’s 67 school districts demanding the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of every person covered by the districts’ health insurance plans.

The problem with working: having to do work

12/09/2008

Tired of working, but still need a paycheck? Keith Smith apparently found a solution to that age-old problem, if only temporarily.

FSU athletics tutor sues for defamation

12/09/2008

Brenda Monk, a former learning specialist for Florida State University (FSU), has announced plans to file a $600,000 lawsuit for defamation following allegations that she provided test answers to FSU football players and other athletes she was tutoring.

Florida staffing company owes NY workers $113,000

12/09/2008

Star One Staffing, based in Coral Gables, has agreed to pay $113,000 in back wages and damages to 70 Filipino workers to settle charges brought by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Port Everglades firm fined after fatal cargo ship accident

12/09/2008

OSHA has fined Florida Transportation Services more than $88,000 for safety violations that killed three workers in May 2007. James Cason, Rene Dutertre and Hayman Sooknanan suffocated after inhaling argon gas that leaked from the cargo hold…

Understand, prepare to follow the new revised FMLA regulations

12/09/2008

The long-awaited revised and updated final rules of the U.S. Department of Labor interpreting the FMLA will go into effect on Jan.16. HR specialists should read the new regulations and then review them with an employment attorney. Also, they should promptly develop special training on new rules and procedures for supervisors and employees alike.

Log all discipline, track it by type & offense

12/09/2008

It goes without saying that you should enforce your rules fairly. That’s why you must track every disciplinary action and make a clear record of why each employee earned his discipline. Later, when one of those employees claims the real reason he was fired was due to age, sex or some other protected classification, you can show that wasn’t the case.

U.S. Supreme Court: 4 key employment cases could reshape HR

12/05/2008

During this term, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider employment cases concerning arbitration, pregnancy discrimination, protected activity and union fee use.

DOL issues new FMLA rules; time to review your policies

12/04/2008

On Nov. 17, the DOL finalized the first major overhaul of FMLA regulations in 15 years. Some changes favor employers; others will make FMLA compliance trickier than ever. They will require changes to your policies.