Supreme Court sides with workers in Tyson Foods appeal

The company lost a long-simmering $5.8M class action judgment appeal over overtime pay and damages.

By Tom Starner • March 23, 2016

EEOC: Do not ask for extensive health history during application process

It's a legal non-starter, as one midwestern company recently found out.

By Tom Starner • March 23, 2016

Employer socked with $7.4M judgment for poor handling of investigation

If HR isn't careful to get all the facts straight in a workplace dispute between co-workers, the hammer could come down hard.

By Tom Starner • March 22, 2016

Obama's Supreme Court nominee considered 'left of center' on employment issues

His record shows that he often defers to the NLRB and tends to rule in favor of unions.

By Kathryn Moody • March 18, 2016

How clear, defined social media policies can protect employers

A court recently ruled in favor of an employer who was sued after they fired an employee for a Facebook post that "negatively impacted" their other employees.

By Tom Starner • March 18, 2016

DOL levies nearly $2M in fines on oil and gas employers

Employers are under scrutiny due to layoffs that have occurred since the dip in oil and gas prices.

By Tom Starner • March 17, 2016

The wellness legal landscape remains muddled, says expert

No matter how well-meaning, employers new to wellness should particularly proceed with caution, says an employment law expert.

By Tom Starner • March 16, 2016

EEOC's retaliation guideline update remains under wraps

Speculation says the agency may make the standards too broad – which is bad news for employers. 

By Tom Starner • March 15, 2016

Wearable gadgets in the workplace require careful consideration

HR leaders need to pay close attention to the legal ramifications of Fitbits, Apple Watches and other trendy gadgets in the workplace. 

By Tom Starner • March 15, 2016

Why some employers are asking about employees' LGBT status

Not every employer thinks it is a good idea, however, especially since many states and countries do not have LGBT protections in place.

By Kathryn Moody • March 15, 2016

Utah passes law that limits non-compete contracts

The law is seen as a compromise that suits employers.

By Tom Starner • March 14, 2016

WeWork lawsuit adds new twist to who should get OT pay

The company recently reached new valuation heights, at about $17B.

By Tom Starner • March 11, 2016

McDonald's joint employer NLRB hearing officially underway

Many companies are watching the case carefully, as some are worried a McDonald's loss could negatively impact franchisers.

By Tom Starner • March 11, 2016

Why an EEOC sexual orientation lawsuit is looming

Legal experts agree: The EEOC is poised to file its first Title VII lawsuit around sexual orientation.

By Tom Starner • March 8, 2016

When sending out new 1095-C forms, keep it simple

Time is running out for employers who need to distribute the new 1095-C forms to their workforces. 

By Tom Starner • March 8, 2016

Another ex-Uber driver receives unemployment benefits in California

He is believed to be among the few Uber workers to gain unemployment benefits, which indicates the state sees him as an employee, not a contractor.

By Tom Starner • March 7, 2016

Yelp back in the news after tweeting at another fired employee

For the second time in two weeks, Yelp has tweeted its defense.

By Tom Starner • March 4, 2016

Why Massachusetts may be changing its non-compete contract laws

If the Massachusetts House Speaker gets his wish, non-compete contracts will have shorter terms in the state.

By Tom Starner • March 4, 2016

Supreme Court's healthcare data decision yields good news for self-funding employers

Some believe the ruling is a positive step for large employers on healthcare data reporting, but not everyone agrees it's a good idea.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Why employers should keep politics out of a job interview

Legal experts make this one clear: do not ask who an applicant is voting for.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Oklahoma workers' comp 'opt out' law suffers legal blow

The Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission unanimously agreed that the alternative workplace benefit plans that some employers adopted are unconstitutional.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Expert offers a solid strategy for plan sponsors to stay compliant

67.2% of employee benefit plans investigated in the past fiscal year resulted in financial penalties or other corrective actions.

By Tom Starner • March 1, 2016

Zenefits to lay off 17% of workforce in order to 'grow in a controlled way'

It's part of new CEO David Sack's continued mission to 'refocus' the controversy-plagued tech company.

By Kathryn Moody • Feb. 26, 2016

Tip pooling is no longer allowed in seven states

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2011 DOL rule that says workplace tips are the property of employees who directly receive them from customers.

By Tom Starner • Feb. 26, 2016

How a new workplace app may make employers change their ways

Plans are in motion for a smartphone app that would give lower-paid workers an alternative path to reporting workplace health and safety issues.

By Tom Starner • Feb. 26, 2016