The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is one of several federal labor laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. The ADEA, as its name implies, prohibits employers from firing, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating against employees because of their age. But the ADEA doesn’t protect everyone from discrimination based on age—only employees who are 40 […]
In the digital era, it’s easy for employees to work anytime, anywhere. Tools like smartphones, laptops, and tablets all help to boost employee productivity, however, they can also ride a delicate line concerning employee hours and wages. Employees who work off the clock, for example, may claim that they should be compensated for the time […]
Business owners must comply with a variety of federal labor laws. Though many small business owners think that these laws only apply to large corporations, many federal labor laws apply the moment that a business hires its first employee. Companies that violate labor laws may face fines, lawsuits, or even criminal prosecution. Read on for […]
Joe works as a senior manager at a car dealership, and Bob works as a salesperson at a competing dealership. They met at an industry business function, where they discussed their shared passion for cars and talked extensively about what they hoped to achieve at work in the next few years. As Joe was leaving, […]
In 2018, a new California law went into effect that requires employers with five or more employees to provide training on sexual harassment prevention to all employees: one hour of training for rank-and-file employees and two hours of training to their supervisors. (Previously, California’s sexual harassment training law covered only employers with 50 or more […]
Dissatisfied employees may want to form a union due to certain situations: unions may be viewed as a solution when employees want to improve their working conditions, seek protection from layoffs, or earn higher wages. But unions aren’t always welcome in the workplace. How Can You Respond When Your Employees Want To Form A […]
Are you providing your employees with the right tools and safety procedures at work? No matter which industry your company falls into—whether it’s construction, hospitality, finance, retail, health care, or financial services—it’s important for you to offer your employees the tools they need to do their job. When employees have the right tools, it creates […]
While ignorance is bliss, it is never an excuse for not knowing the law. In other words, a court will not care whether an employer understood its legal obligations when deciding whether to impose liability for a violation of the law: the court will find that the employer is responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying […]
Many employers prohibit the use of drugs in their workplace, and some companies go so far as to test prospective and current employees for drug use. But drug testing is a complicated topic because it is largely regulated by state labor laws. That means that each state can approach drug testing differently, creating headaches for […]
Although technology is playing an ever-greater role in the workplace, few labor laws address employee use of social media. However, two federal agencies—the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—have recently provided clarity on the protections afforded employees and their online content. Both agencies have determined that […]
California labor laws are designed to protect employees from having to work too many hours without fair compensation for their time. These laws apply at the daily and weekly level. Here is a summary of what California law requires when it comes to overtime pay. Daily and Weekly Overtime in California Nonexempt employees […]
New York labor laws include several important employee meal period and rest break requirements for employers to understand. Employers in New York who fail to comply with these rules subject themselves to liability, including penalties, under the state’s wage and hour laws. Here is a summary of what New York law requires of employers when […]
