Articles and Blogs

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on July 14, 2014 issued Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination and Related Issues, along with Questions and Answers about the guidance and a Fact Sheet for Small Businesses. This is the first comprehensive update of the EEOC’s guidance on the subject of discrimination against pregnant workers since 1983. This... READ MORE

A private employer planning on downsizing or implementing a reduction in force (“RIF”) has many items on its checklist to consider.  The employer that intends to offer severance pay benefits must understand how Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) may impact the RIF.  Severance pay arrangements fall into one of three classifications under... READ MORE

On Monday, June 30, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., et al., that extends certain religious freedom protections to closely held for-profit corporations.  Specifically, the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Government cannot impose the contraceptive mandate on closely held for-profit corporations that have... READ MORE

The NLRB and President Obama both took a hit last week from the Supreme Court when the Justices ruled unanimously that the President’s appointment of three members of the NLRB during a recess of the Senate was unconstitutional.  We wrote about this legal challenge to presidential power previously as the case made its way... READ MORE

Another Case of Reconsideration for the NLRB Recently we wrote about the NLRB’s decision protecting profanity directed toward a boss during a heated argument in the bosses office.  That decision came after a federal appeals court told the NLRB to reconsider its earlier decision providing protection to the boss-cussing worker.  The NLRB did reconsider... READ MORE

Recently, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (which has jurisdiction over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee) held that allowing a disabled employee to telecommute could be a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. READ MORE

NLRB Often Strikes Down Common Employer Rules For several years now, the NLRB that governs labor and management relations in the private sector has been striking down employer rules that interfere with employee rights to form, join or associate with labor unions or to engage in activity for their mutual aid and protection –... READ MORE

You would think that an employee who told his boss – to his face – that he was a “f***ing crook” and an “a**hole” and that the boss “would regret it if you fire me” – SHOULD be fired.  Not according to the NLRB. READ MORE

The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) recently proposed a rule that would allow certain spouses of H-1B workers to apply for employment authorization in the United States.  Click here to view the full text of the rule.  READ MORE

OFCCP will host a free 90-minute webinar on June 12, 2014 concerning best practices for outreach and recruitment of individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans.  Colet Mitchell and Shaun McGill from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (“ODEP”) will be the presenters.  Registration for the webinar is available here.  READ MORE