Can Firing an Employee for a False Sexual Harassment Claim Be Considered Retaliation?

the situation An employee lodges a number of complaints against a certain supervisor, claiming that he has made some offensive and inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature.  You interview some of the other employees who were purportedly present when these statements were made and none of them back up the complaining employee’s story. The supervisor […]

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Can Employers Obtain Cell Phone GPS Data In Unpaid Overtime Case?

the situation You operate a company in which employees frequently use personal cell phones for work reasons.  A group of employees joins together and files a collective action, asserting that you failed to pay them overtime as required under the FLSA.  You want to get ahold of GPS and location services from their cell phones […]

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New FLSA Test for Joint Employers in Fourth Circuit—If You Use Subcontractors, Pay Attention!

the situation A general contractor regularly engages a certain subcontractor to do drywall installation needed on its jobs.  The subcontractor works almost exclusively for the general contractor.  If the employees of the subcontractor are not paid overtime as required by the FLSA, can the general contractor face liability?

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Would Your Company Need to Let an Intellectually Disabled Employee Work Shorter Shifts?

the situation You have an employee with intellectual limitations who typically has worked a consistent schedule of 12 pm until 4 pm.  The employee has historically been a good employee and received good marks on performance reviews.  You implement a new computerized scheduling process, pursuant to which employees are all automatically scheduled for various eight […]

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Heads Up—Deadline for Using New I-9 Forms Approaching

the situation Back in November, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a revised version of Form I-9, the tool employers must use in connection with establishing the eligibility of individuals for employment under the Immigration Reform and Control Act.  Employers must switch over to the new version of the form by January 22, 2017 […]

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But He Said it Too! Does Employee’s Use of Racial Epithet Negate Discrimination Claim?

the situation An employee asserts that he has been subjected to a hostile work environment, partially based on claims that other employees and supervisors regularly used racial epithets in his presence.  But, you are aware that the complaining employee had been known to use those very same terms at times. Does that affect his claim […]

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Customer’s Sexual Harassment of Employee—Could You be Liable?

the situation A female employee complains about a particular customer’s conduct—specifically complaining about some unwelcome touching, some sexually inappropriate statements, and stalking-type behavior.  What are you obligated to do?  If you don’t take sufficient action, can that employee bring a claim against you under Title VII?

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Emotional Distress Damages Allowed in FLSA Retaliation Claim?

the situation An employee claims that not only was he not properly paid overtime owed to him, but that when he complained about it, his employer retaliated against him—can he really claim damages based on pain and suffering?

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Depression and the ADA According to the EEOC

the situation Mental health conditions, including depression and PTSD, can trigger protection under the ADA. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based upon these conditions and also must provide reasonable accommodations to employees as necessary. But what does this mean in reality?

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Jimmy John’s Settles Case Involving Overzealous Non-competes

the situation In June, the Attorney General for the state of Illinois filed a lawsuit against Jimmy John’s, alleging that its non-compete agreement was illegal and unenforceable under Illinois law.  The non-compete applied to all employees, including sandwich makers and delivery drivers, and prohibited them from working in any other business that earns more than […]

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