Some employees make life miserable for their coworkers. They gossip, sabotage, and bully—but that doesn’t always add up to a viable lawsuit. In fact, a recent federal appellate decision reminds us that even the ugliest workplace conduct isn’t unlawful unless it crosses a very specific legal line. Continue reading
A recent DOL enforcement action shows how routine rounding practices can spiral into serious legal exposure. This post breaks down one employer’s nearly $600,000 mistake—and explains what the FLSA really permits when it comes to rounding work time.
TL;DR: A construction contractor just had to pay nearly $600,000 in back wages and damages after the Department of Labor found systemic underpayment of overtime. A key issue? The company’s rounding and timekeeping practices. Rounding work time can be legal—but only if it doesn’t shortchange employees over time. Here’s what every employer needs to know.
The PWFA was designed to support pregnant workers.
But when the EEOC included abortion in the mix, a federal court hit pause. Continue reading
The Supreme Court appears ready to give the President what amounts to a blank check to fire a Senate-confirmed member of the National Labor Relations Board — no cause, no hearing, no due process. Just “You’re fired,” in an 11 p.m. email. Continue reading
Flamethrower messages torpedo an ADA claim in this no-nonsense ruling from a federal appellate court. Continue reading
If you’ve been staring at the words “EEO-1 Component 1” and thinking they sound like a rejected Star Wars droid, you’re not alone. But if you’re an HR pro at a private company with 100+ employees (or a federal contractor with 50+ employees and a contract over $50,000), you’ve got a legal obligation to get this right—and soon. Continue reading
A Texas federal court has weighed in on how far the EEOC can go when interpreting Title VII.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well for the EEOC. Continue reading
If two employees are married and work for the same company, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) lets their employer cap their combined leave at 12 weeks. A new bill in Congress proposes to eliminate that restriction. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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