The Employer Handbook Blog

It’s official! Second chances and clean slates for wage-and-hour violators are over at the DOL.

February 3, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor began allowing employers to self-report wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and pay 100% of the wages owed to workers. In exchange, DOL would not assess liquidated damages, which would otherwise equal 100% of the wages. Plus, the employer would be immunized from private lawsuits.

It was all part of the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program.

Now PAID is DEAD! Continue reading

A large law firm is reportedly requiring vaccinations before working in the office again 💉💪

February 2, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Shafin Al Asad Protic from Pixabay

Let’s discuss. Continue reading

One minute VIDEO: Five things employers should know about OSHA’s brand new COVID-19 guidance

February 1, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

By U.S. Government/Gobierno de los Estados Unidos – Extracted from PDF version of a combustible dust fact sheet. Public Domain, Link

On Friday, OSHA released “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.” Continue reading

Join me and special guest Dan Schwartz (!!!) at Noon ET today on Zoom for The Employer Handbook Office Hour

January 29, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

It’s week 98 of quarantine, many of you are working from home, and the boss isn’t around.

So, you’ve got really got no excuse to miss The Employer Handbook Office Hour today on Zoom at Noon ET, for which you can still register here before it fills up. Continue reading

Court: Shareholders and equity partners cannot sue for discrimination under Title VII.

January 28, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

stop hand by b farias from the Noun Project

One of the proudest days in an attorney’s legal career is making partner. There are two tiers of partnership in most law firms: (1) non-equity/contract partner; and (2) shareholder/equity partner. Ascending to that second shareholder tier means that you own part of the business. How cool is that?

But, if things eventually go sideways, the shareholder may be SOL. Continue reading

A woman fired after attending the Capitol protest is suing her former employer for $10,000,000.

January 27, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

TapTheForwardAssist, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Did I mention yesterday that, among the many topics that Dan Schwartz and I will discuss at noon on Friday’s free Zoom chat, we’ll probably touch on employee free speech? (Click here to register.)

But this doozy can’t wait until Friday. Continue reading

Pot for Shots: Folks, there’s a new trend to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations. It’s marijuana?!? 🌿

January 26, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Hayley Zacha from Pixabay

I wonder if, in light of their recently-proposed rules, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would consider a joint a small enough incentive from employers to encourage their employees to participate in a company wellness program.

The CDC has a new vaccine communication COVID-19 toolkit. Plus, President Biden proposes even MORE employment law changes. 😱

January 25, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Last week, I shared with you eight ways that President Biden changed employment law on Day One. It took me a while to cobble together that post. So, I was kind of hoping that “46” would take a few days off or something so that I could unwind in the blogcuzzi without worrying about any new Biden/HR content for this week.

No such luck. Continue reading

Real leadership is admitting when you’re wrong (like firing a Jewish employee who calls out Nazis).

January 22, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Mango Matter from Pixabay

On Wednesday, I wrote (here) about the New York Mets’ decision to terminate its General Manager, just one month into his tenure, because the team recently learned that he sexted a female reporter in 2016 while working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office.

By all accounts, the general manager’s first month with the Mets had been largely successful, producing some good trades to improve the team’s chances of winning the World Series. So, the decision to fire him could not have been easy. But, it seemed like the right thing to do and reflected accountability and strong leadership.

But, not all terminations are alike. Continue reading

Eight ways that President Biden changed employment law on Day One. That was fast!!!

January 21, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

On Monday, I blogged about President Biden’s first HR-compliance wish list, which focused on COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

On Wednesday, President Biden was sworn in. And, folks, he wasted no time making moves that will impact labor and employment law. Continue reading