A transit agency thought it had a clear-cut reason to fire an employee under its no-fault attendance policy. But a disputed call-out, followed by a retroactive FMLA approval, now means a jury gets to decide whether the termination was lawful. TL;DR: A bus driver with a chronic medical condition was…
This isn’t just a cromulent decision—it’s a reminder that attorneys’ fees can’t be used to shoehorn a small state wage claim into federal court. TL;DR: A federal judge in Pennsylvania kicked a wage-and-hour case back to state court after finding that the employer couldn’t show more than $75,000 was at…
A machine operator with osteoarthritis tried to return to work with restrictions. Instead, he got terminated. Now his ADA case is headed for trial. TL;DR: A federal court just denied summary judgment in an ADA case involving a machine operator who asked to return from disability leave with light-duty restrictions.…
Turns out a medical marijuana card can’t cure everything—especially if what you’ve got is a bad case of ADA expectations. Here’s a lesson in what happens when federal law refuses to roll with the times. TL;DR: A Pennsylvania federal court just held that legally using medical marijuana under state law…
When employees stretch their FMLA leave beyond what’s certified, courts look closely at how employers respond. A recent case shows how solid documentation and a clear-eyed review of the facts can support a defensible termination. TL;DR: An employee claimed FMLA interference and retaliation (plus a bunch of other discrimination claims)…
If The Dude from The Big Lebowski applied for a job today—with a medical marijuana card in hand and nothing but good vibes—what legal rights would he actually have? A recent federal court decision from Pennsylvania offers a reality check for employers navigating job offers, drug tests, and lawful cannabis…
About a year ago, a federal judge greenlit the lawsuit of a former university professor who alleged that his employer created a racially hostile work environment through various discussions and initiatives focused on antiracism and racial justice. In his complaint, the professor alleged that he had to attend conferences or…
I just had to write about a federal court decision from earlier in 2024 that I finally got around to reading. It serves as a critical reminder for employers: All complaints about a hostile work environment must be taken seriously—even when they involve a comedian hired to entertain at a…
Back by popular demand. I see that Friday’s post threw some of you for a loop. Perhaps you were always told (or just assumed) that if your business has employees working from home in another state, then that state’s law would apply to some or all claims they may have…
In the evolving landscape of remote work, many employees believe they are shielded by the laws of the state they reside in. However, a recent decision from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey — of all places !!! — reveals a harsh reality: working remotely…