Archive for April, 2009

Weathering the Recession Without Extra Burden of Litigation

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

As an employment lawyer, I frequently am asked the question that all business people are asked these days: “How is your business faring in these troubled economic times?” I am personally happy that I can say, “My business is booming.” What I am not happy about is the reason for my current volume of business: [...]

Beware New ARRA Whistleblower Law

Monday, April 20th, 2009

More than just Big Brother is watching you. Your employees are watching too, and can use the protections of a new whistleblower law to protect their jobs if they report any kind of wrongdoing by your business.
The new whistleblower law is included as a tiny piece of the massive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (”ARRA”). [...]

COBRA Changes Affect Employers

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Do you provide group health, dental or vision insurance or a Health Reimbursement Account to your employees?
Do you have at least 20 employees, whether they are on the group health insurance or not?
Have you laid off or fired any employees since September 1, 2008?

If you answered these 3 questions “yes”, you are required to act [...]

Is There a Union in Your Future?

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Across the country, approximately 8% of the workforce is unionized. Speculation is that if the Employee Free Choice Act (”EFCA”), the union-backed legislation making its way through the Democratic-controlled Congress, passes, that number could double.
This is causing concern for many employers, who fear that a unionized workforce makes the company less flexible, innovative and responsive [...]

Paying for Employee Training Time

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Dow Chemical’s plant in Freeport, Texas recently had to pay a $861,647 settlement for back wages to 648 operating engineers who claimed they were not compensated for hours spent studying during mandatory training. The Department of Labor (”DOL”)investigated and found that the engineers should have been paid for the time spent in training required by [...]