In 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule to clarify how workers are classified which was aimed at distinguishing between employees and independent contractors. This clarification is poised to impact industries nationwide, redefining employer obligations and worker rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Worker classification has long been a…
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The 2024 presidential election has finally come to pass with Republican candidate Donald Trump set to begin his second administration in January 2025. It can be expected that the Trump Administration will bring numerous changes to the employment law landscape during his second administration. Many of these changes will likely roll back various Biden-era initiatives…
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On June 27, 2023, Congress passed the Pregnant Woman’s Fairness Act (“PWFA”). The PWFA requires employers with 15 employees or more to provide reasonable accommodations to employees or applicants with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless such accommodation would cause the employer an undue hardship. The PWFA directs the EEOC…
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On July 25, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) companies can be held liable for claims of hostile work environment if an employee posts harassing content online that negatively impacts the workplace. This decision is the…
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The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced a proposed rule in July 2024 to regulate heat-related hazards in the workplace. According to OSHA, heat is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and the proposed rule seeks to protect employees who work in warm climates from hazards associated with high…
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On June 24, 2024, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of a retired Florida firefighter who argued that the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) allows a former employee to sue over discrimination with respect to post-employment benefits that the former employee earned during their employment. In the case of Stanley v….
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Under the Fair Labor Standard Act (“FLSA”), overtime pay is one and one-half times an employee’s regular pay rate for every hour that is worked beyond the 40 hours in a workweek. Almost all hourly workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay; however, workers who are paid on a salary basis are only eligible for…
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In 2022, Florida enacted the Individual Freedom Act, which Governor Ron DeSantis called the “Stop WOKE Act” (“the Act”). Specifically, the Act prohibited Florida employers from requiring employees to attend any training or activity that “espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels” an individual to believe certain prohibited “concepts” relating to race, color, sex, or national…
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Historically, non-compete agreements were utilized to safeguard a company’s trade secrets, proprietary information, and customer relationships. Non-compete agreements served as critical tools for protecting business interests. However, over the past few years, there has been a recent legislative priority to limit or ban the use of restrictive covenants. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed an…
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In January 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) launched its REACH initiative designed to “enhance outreach to vulnerable workers and underserved communities.” The initiative was implemented by Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal for the purpose of ensuring EEOC’s outreach and education efforts reach workers who are less likely to seek the agency’s assistance. Through the…
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