Ronald Meisburg, General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued his annual Summary of Operations memo on October 29, 2008. (The NLRB is the federal agency that enforces our country’s labor laws and conducts union elections.) Mr. Meisburg’s memo is full of interesting news and developments on all facets of the NLRB’s operations. To read the complete
California Supreme Court to Review Rest and Meal Break Case
Back in August, we reported a California Court of Appeals decision that employers must provide rest and meal breaks, but are not required to control that the breaks were taken. Last week, the California Supreme Court granted review of that case – it might uphold the decision, but it might also overturn it.
The grant of
Homeland Security Issues Final Supplemental “No-Match” Rule
Yesterday the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a supplemental final rule regarding employers’ obligations upon receiving a "no match" letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA). (A "no match" letter states that an employee’s reported Social Security number appears invalid). The final rule is identical to the department’s previous rule, which was blocked from implementation by a California
Fourteen Million Reasons Not to Misclassify Employees as Independent Contractors
A class of current and former FedEx Ground drivers misclassified as "independent contractors" will receive an additional $9 million in reimbursements for employment-related expenses, an appointed referee ruled October 20. This award will be combined with a previous award of $5.3 million the drivers received in 2006. The award will reimburse the drivers for such expenses as truck
Sexual Harassment Fail
It’s a slow news day here at the Stoel Rives World of Employment. No Supreme Court cases, no big lawsuits, not even an obscure city ordinance to report on. But here’s an amusing photo, courtesy of the Fail Blog:
Come to think of it, I believe I spoke at that seminar….
Driving Not a “Major Life Activity” Under ADA
Is driving a car a major life activity under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? No, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals recently concluded, joining two other federal circuit courts that have held that just because a person cannot drive does not mean that person meets the legal definition of "disabled." Kellogg v. Energy
Ninth Circuit Upholds San Francisco Health Care Ordinance
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a San Francisco city ordinance that requires many employers to either contribute a specified amount toward their employees’ health care costs on a regular basis or pay into a city health care fund for San Francisco residents.
The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance went into effect on
New Federal Legislation Would Penalize Employers’ Use of “Independent Contractors”
The U.S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would impose significant penalties on employers who improperly classify employees as "independent contractors" to avoid paying for benefits.
The Employee Misclassification Prevention Act (S. 3648) was introduced in the Senate on September 29, and is sponsored by Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.).
Free Lunch Seminar on California Law for Oregon Employers October 30
Do you have an office or a facility in California? Do you have any employees who work in California? If you’ve had to confront the challenges of complying with California’s unique employment laws and regulations, you’ll want to join us.
We will have a lively discussion led by Tony DeCristoforo, a labor and employment
Washington: Public Policy Against Domestic Violence Supports Claim of Wrongful Discharge
Is a Washington employer prohibited from terminating an at-will employee because she took leave from work to protect herself from domestic violence? Yes, according to last week’s opinion from the Washington Supreme Court in Danny v. Laidlaw Services.
In Danny, the plaintiff sued her former employer in federal court, alleging she was terminated for