In early March, the National Labor Relations Board (“Board”) conducted hearings regarding Northwestern University’s Football Players bid to form a union. The prevailing issue that arose in the players’ request to form a union is whether college athletes are considered “employees” within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The University argued that […]
General Employment Law Page 49
Many times in the workplace, there is a fine line for conduct that is unfair versus conduct that is unlawful. Creating a hostile work environment is prohibited under a number of Federal discrimination laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and Americans Disabilities […]
The Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) is the federal law that defined marriage as being solely between a man and woman. On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the fate of DOMA in United States v. Windsor. In that case, the Supreme Court held that the provision of DOMA prohibiting the federal government […]
Plaintiff Scott Matusick, was employed by the Erie County Water Authority as a dispatcher. Plaintiff, who is white claimed he was assaulted, harassed, and ultimately terminated from his employment because of his romantic relationship with African-American woman, Anita Starks, who he was engaged to. Scott alleged that when his co-workers and supervisor became aware he […]
The United States Constitution guarantees every American citizen certain civil rights and personal liberties. Among these are: the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, the right to privacy, the right of peaceful protest, the right to a fair investigation, and more generally-based constitutional rights such as the right to vote, the right to personal freedom, the […]
Access to the courts is a constitutionally protected fundamental right guaranteed to all citizens. Still, exercising this fundamental right may not always be the best method for purposes of resolving legal issues, or maximizing results. Driven by the freedom and power to design resolutions, the use of mediation as an alternative to litigation is on […]
While most are aware of the physical and emotional changes women face when pregnant, many fail to realize the changes and effects pregnant women face at their workplaces. Pregnant women may require more frequent bathroom breaks, days off due to pregnancy complications or doctors’ appointments. As a result, many are fired due to requesting the […]
There are Federal Laws, State Laws, and in some jurisdictions like New York, even City Laws that govern minimum wage, hours of work, child labor, payment of wages and wage supplements, industrial homework, apparel industry registration, registration of professional employer organizations, or farm labor. Depending on the age and type of job, such laws generally […]
On June 27, the New York City Council overrode Mayor’s veto and passed the Earned Sick Time Act by a 45-3 vote. This Act joins New York City employers within the minority of states in imposing sick leave obligations. According to New York City Council estimates, this new sick leave law will make over a […]