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Rule proposed to improve mental health parity
The federal government is working to ensure that Americans have the same insurance coverage for mental health services as they do for physical health services. Late last month, the Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services released a proposed rule that aims to ensure health plans comply with the Mental Health Parity […]
7 reasons to embrace a robust records retention program
Employers often ask, why do we need a records retention policy? It’s relatively cheap and easy to store everything electronically, and if you don’t have a retention policy you don’t have to deal with the headache of determining the retention period for every document you have. But in response, I explain that while it might […]
The challenge of navigating big emotions in the workplace
“Nothing personal; it’s just business.” Otto Berman, an accountant for organized crime in America in the 1920s and 30s, coined that phrase. Regrettably, it has remained in the corporate vernacular for far too long. It’s time we banish that organizational ghost for good! When we invest in being human at work, our relationships are deeper […]
Crackdown on illegal deductions, overtime violations continues
The U.S. Department of Labor has been cracking down on overtime violations and illegal deductions.
DHS announces new Form I-9 and remote process
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, has released a new version of Form I?9 for employment eligibility verification and a new process to conduct verification electronically.
Speech or conduct? Effects of website designer ruling uncertain
It’s too early to assess the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples, according to some legal experts.
Retirement comments not direct evidence of age bias
Even though a university dean and provost made comments about a professor’s retirement plans, those comments, without more, were not “direct evidence” of age discrimination.
Three labor bills advance to Senate floor
A Senate panel has approved legislation seeking to address wage discrimination, sick leave, and collective bargaining rights.
NLRB concludes Starbucks again violated labor laws
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that Starbucks illegally hampered a worker from testifying at a board hearing. Per court documents, the company violated federal labor law by telling Seattle-area workers they couldn’t testify when subpoenaed unless they arranged coverage for their shifts and threatening discipline if they failed to secure a fill-in.
An employer’s guide to compassionate communication with employees
Facing the daunting task of downsizing one’s workforce can be an emotionally challenging experience. It is crucial for leaders to make well-informed decisions while considering the impacts on both departing and remaining employees. Outlined below are five high-level considerations that are intended to help guide employers through the difficult process of layoffs.
Structuring a commercial real estate investment
As a commercial real estate lawyer, I understand that my clients often rely on their financial analysts and their projections, forecasts and assumptions to determine whether to invest in a real estate venture. Whether a lawyer or a nonlawyer, it is helpful to understand what real estate investors may look at when evaluating and structuring […]
BYOD can complicate e-discovery
While BYOD, or bring your own device, can offer a number of benefits for employers, such as increased productivity, it also introduces new risks, particularly in the area of e-discovery.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Driver fell asleep, causing significant auto accident — $1M settlement
- Defense verdict returned for company in rear-end crash — Defense verdict
- Cauda equina syndrome developed after procedure — $625,000 settlement
- Passenger died months after sustaining multiple injuries — $725,000 settlement
- Plaintiff injured in crash with oncoming vehicle — $235,000 settlement
- Driver killed in rear-end collision with tractor-trailer — $1.5M settlement
- Man died from pancreatic cancer after delayed response — $1.8M settlement
- Worker fell off roof, rendering him a paraplegic — $1.25M settlement
- Driver sustained permanent hearing loss after traffic collision — $240,000 settlement
- Plaintiff suffered concussion in rear-end collision — $81,000 verdict
- Builder misrepresented home status to buyers — $675,000 verdict
- Low potassium led to cardiac arrest, death of patient — $1M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Company owner dodges breach of contract suit
- Employee’s own allegations doom minimum wage claim
- Federal government defeats former employee’s claims
- Principal wasn’t entitled to exclusively remote work
- USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
- Untimely lawsuit allowed to proceed
- Engineering consultant dismissed from suit
- Rule 60 motion was filed too late
- Nonprofit directors immune from ex-employees’ claims
- City, employees immune from whistleblower claims
- Experts excluded in condemnation damages suit
- Judgment entered against company for horse’s death
