The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (one of 11 courts that are one step below the U.S. Supreme Court) has concluded that an employee can pursue a claim where the employee was retaliated against by being required to work in a hostile environment. This ruling has the effect of creating a new cause of […]
May an Employer Require Employees to be 100% Healed Before Returning from Medical Leave?
It may seem logical that an employer that is concerned about its employees’ health may require employees who have been out on medical or maternity leave to be fully healed before returning to work so as to protect against a re-injury. But, such a requirement may give the employee a claim that the employer has […]
Employers Have a Duty to Report Child Pornography Found on an Employee’s Computer
What happens when a company’s IT department discovers porn on an employee’s computer while performing maintenance? The answer is that it depends. If the porn involves children, the employer may have a legal duty to report the conduct to the appropriate authorities. A recent revision to federal law requires that any provider of an “electronic […]
New EEOC Rules Address When an Employer Can Rely on a Criminal Background Check in Making a Hiring Decision
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has finally issued long-awaited guidelines for employers who wish to use the results of a criminal background check to make hiring decisions. The guidelines are lengthy and convoluted, but some themes are clear. Before discussing the themes in the guidelines, it is important to understand why the EEOC cares […]
NLRB Suspends Posting Requirement Indefinitely
The National Labor Relations Board previously implemented a requirement that all employers – including non-union shops – must post a document advising employees of certain rights no later than April 30, 2012. As a result of challenges to the posting requirement that are pending in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals as well […]
What Are The Rules For Using Interns?
This is the time of year when students looking to explore a career interest or to gain experience are applying for unpaid summer internships. As employers consider “hiring” interns, they should bear certain rules in mind in order to avoid running into problems with the U.S. Department of Labor or the IRS. It is easy […]
