Dexter Pearce

Dexter Pearce is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Labor & Employment group. He represents employers in matters involving labor and employment-related disputes, including wage and hour, ADA, and discrimination issues. He also assists employers in mitigating risks prior to litigation, frequently resolving complaints at the agency level and regularly conducting anti-discrimination and harassment trainings. Dexter frequently contributes to the World of Employment blog on a variety of cutting-edge employment issues.

Subscribe to all posts by Dexter Pearce

EEOC Publishes Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines

*This article was originally published as a Legal Alert on December 17, 2020. With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming available to some and just around the corner for others, the question on many employers’ (and employees’) minds is whether they can (or should) mandate employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment. The Equal Employment Opportunity … Continue Reading

The COVID-19 Vaccine Is Coming: Can Employers Require Employees to Get Vaccinated?

By John Dudrey, Dexter Pearce and Laura Rosenbaum on December 7, 2020 Posted in COVID-19, Oregon

With FDA approval of a COVID-19 vaccine possibly coming this week, employers are wondering whether they can require their employees to get vaccinated as a condition of employment. For many employers, the answer is yes, subject to a few exceptions. As a general matter, employers are free to set the terms and conditions of employment, … Continue Reading

Staying Connected with Your Employees: Temporary Hours Reduction or Work Share Program?

By Todd Hanchett, Dexter Pearce, Amy Joseph Pedersen and Karen O'Connor on April 29, 2020 Posted in coronavirus, COVID-19, Department of Labor, employer policies, Practical Tips, States

Employers facing changes in their business or broader economic downturns must find ways to respond and weather the storm. Typically, this means cutting expenses, while maintaining their ability to operate. For many (if not most) businesses, payroll is the single largest expense item. And when business slows, employees are left with excess capacity and are … Continue Reading

Protecting Your Company and Your Employees During an ICE Raid

By Dexter Pearce and Todd Hanchett on June 6, 2017 Posted in Immigration, News, Practical Tips

In light of the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, it is important that employers understand their legal rights and responsibilities when faced with potential raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) or local police acting in cooperation with ICE. Understandably, many employers will want to ensure not only that they are complying with … Continue Reading

Washington State Enacts Its Own “Blacklisting” Statute

By Dexter Pearce and Jim Shore on May 18, 2017 Posted in FLSA, wage and hour, Washington

Although federal contractors were able to breathe a sigh of relief after the current administration put a stop to President Obama’s “Blacklisting” executive order, employers in the state of Washington must now comply with their own “blacklisting” law. On May 8, Washington state signed into law Senate Bill 5301 (“SB 5301”), which bans employers from … Continue Reading

Another Setback for Student Athletes … or Is It?

By Dexter Pearce and Karen O'Connor on January 5, 2017 Posted in Cases, FLSA

On December 5, 2016, Berger v. National Collegiate Athletic Association brought a major setback for those advocating that “student athletes” deserve to be compensated for their contributions to the multi-billion-dollar industry of college sports. The plaintiffs were two former “student athletes” at the University of Pennsylvania (“Penn”) who participated on the women’s track and field team. … Continue Reading