Higher ed, small business face different overtime challenges

The impact of this week's new Department of Labor FLSA overtime rule will vary from industry to industry and affect employers of all sizes and types.

By Tom Starner • May 19, 2016

Arbitration clauses surfacing among smaller startups

"They give their young workers Ping-Pong tables and take away their constitutional rights," Cliff Palefsky, an employment and civil rights lawyer in San Francisco, told the Times.

By Tom Starner • May 17, 2016

Supreme Court sends back ACA birth control case

Both religious employers and pro-contraception advocates claimed a victory of sorts, NPR reported.

By Tom Starner • May 17, 2016

Data broker decision may protect employers long-term

The Supreme Court case was related to the accuracy of online personal data through services like Spokeo.

By Tom Starner • May 17, 2016

EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs

The rules, which go into effect in 2017, provide guidance on wellness data privacy, program incentives and how wellness meshes with the ADA and GINA.

By Kathryn Moody • May 16, 2016

Employers may want to think twice before rehiring the fired

The IRS tried it...but it didn't go as well as hoped.

By Tom Starner • May 13, 2016

How the same job title can be exempt and non-exempt under new OT rules

Such an arrangement could get very tricky, but it's quite possible for jobs that straddle the exempt line.

By Tom Starner • May 13, 2016

Arizona bans local laws on wages, benefits

State lawmakers have made it so local communities cannot set their own minimum wages or configure benefits such as paid leave and retirement planning.

By Tom Starner • May 13, 2016

EEOC fact sheet offers employer guidance on transgender restroom policy

The EEOC has noted that denial of restroom use is a discriminatory practice, regardless if "contrary state laws" are in place.

By Tom Starner • May 12, 2016

Minnesota court declares employees can't 'unintentionally quit'

A Minnesota woman whose workplace alleged she quit her job said she had not quit at all, and had taken requested time off to deal with a family matter.

By Tom Starner • May 11, 2016

Dueling lawsuits emerge over North Carolina 'bathroom bill'

Both North Carolina and the Justice Dept. filed lawsuits as the saga over HB2 continues.

By Tom Starner • May 10, 2016

Why expecting 24/7 workplace happiness could violate NLRB rules

Employers can certainly do all they like to keep employees happy, but they can't "expect" workers to be positive in the workplace at all times.

By Tom Starner • May 9, 2016

The long-awaited overtime rule: What employers need to know right now

With the controversial new OT rule projected to come out perhaps as early as this month, we spoke to the experts to get a handle on the hows and whys.

By Tom Starner • May 9, 2016

Justice Dept. says NC 'bathroom bill' violates civil rights

The DOJ has given notice that the law could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.

By Tom Starner • May 6, 2016

Why the EEOC's latest federal court win signals its broadening power

The court ruled in a recent discrimination case in favor of the EEOC over the power of subpoena.

By Tom Starner • May 5, 2016

Supreme Court deals minimum wage blow to franchises

By letting a lower court ruling stand, SCOTUS effectively told large franchise chains that they will not be treated like small independent businesses.

By Tom Starner • May 4, 2016

As employment-related claims rise, employers may need liability coverage

Small employers often ignore employment practices liability coverage—a short-sighted move with EPL litigation on the rise, according to an insurance expert.

By Tom Starner • May 3, 2016

Cyberbullying requires a strong response from HR leadership

A recent suicide by a young female firefighter may have been driven in part by co-worker cyberbullying, an emerging front of workplace harassment.

By Tom Starner • May 2, 2016

Menards relents, agrees to halt NLRB violations

The NLRB told Menards, a Midwest home improvement chain, to end two practices that violated federal labor law.

By Tom Starner • April 29, 2016

Local minimum wage backers in AL take their case to federal court

Two groups representing mainly minorities in Mobile, AL, want a local minimum wage ordinance reinstated after the state passed a law banning such ordinances.

By Tom Starner • April 29, 2016

Target's stand on transgender rights may reveal compliance confusion

Target has extended its transgender restroom and fitting room policy to customers as well as employees. But what happens when local law rules otherwise?

By Tom Starner • April 29, 2016

Supreme Court strengthens first amendment protections for employees

A police officer in New Jersey had been demoted over supposedly supporting a mayoral candidate the police chief opposed.

By Tom Starner • April 28, 2016

Enforcing 'living wage' laws proving to be an elusive challenge

The laws look good on paper, but there aren't enough boots on the ground to ensure compliance everywhere, the AP reports.

By Tom Starner • April 28, 2016

With FLSA overtime changes coming, transparency is crucial

The Labor Department's upcoming overtime rule is sure to shake up employers nationwide. Smart HR leaders are already conducting self-audits.

By Tom Starner • April 26, 2016

Why employers need to consider Labor Dept., EEOC changes now

Two federal government rule changes have Republicans riled up, and employers are waiting to see how they will be affected.

By Tom Starner • April 26, 2016