Court Adopts New Test in Harassment Cases

Professionals strive to maintain safe and welcoming workplaces for employees and guests.  To further this goal, many firms have incorporated into their employment manuals anti-harassment policies and training.  Yet, despite such precautionary steps, an employer cannot guarantee an environment free of wrongdoers. In the unfortunate event of a claim, it is up to the court to determine whether an employer that took proactive measures to protect employees is nonetheless liable in employment related harassment claims.

This question was recently presented to the New Jersey Supreme …

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Decision Limits Defenses to FLSA Overtime Claims

You’ve heard it before, here and likely elsewhere, of the risks of FLSA overtime lawsuits. Yet, these suits continue to make headlines. Simply put, qualified employers must pay employees at least 1.5 times their regular wage for every hour worked in excess of 40 hours per week.  This applies to certain professionals who, of course, employee non-exempts personnel. Whether it’s tax season, preparing for trial or meeting a tight deadline, professionals may ask employees to work beyond 40 hours and therefore may be subject to …

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Employer Liability for Privacy Breach?

Professionals are often entrusted with confidential information.  Ethical rules as well as federal and state laws limit when such information may be accessed by professionals and under what circumstances it may be disseminated.  Sure, professionals may be held accountable for errors that result in the unintended disclosure of confidential or sensitive data. However, liability is not limited to the professional directly responsible for the breach; rather, employers may be on the hook too. In fact, the employer may be responsible even if the employee’s conduct …

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Company Wellness Programs: More To Love or The Biggest Loser? 

Reportedly nearly 2/3 of us resolve each new year to improve our fitness level (yet ¾ of us don’t achieve that goal). Maybe our employers can help?  Employers are beginning to offer financial incentives to workers who take part in wellness programs that include screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index.  But, these programs are under scrutiny by the EEOC, which recently filed suit targeting wellness programs deemed involuntary. The lawsuits bring into focus what seem consider an inconsistency between the Affordable Care …

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What is Work? New Definitions for the New Year

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), employees are entitled to compensation for “hours worked.”  However, what is considered compensable work time is a contentious topic for many employers.  A recent decision by the Supreme Court is likely to help clarify the test for compensable work under the FLSA and effectively end much of the current litigation faced by employers surrounding back wages and overtime pay.  This month, in a rare unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that employees’ time spent waiting for and undergoing …

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NLRB: Limiting Limits on Employee E-mails

An employee’s use of workplace computers and other company provided devices may trigger employer liability. As a result, employers must be careful to tailor policies that protect the employer but don’t go too far. It may be tempting for an employer to consider an outright ban of non-work related e-mail use by employees. Tempting, maybe, but improper according to the NLRB. The NLRB’s recent decision very well could have major implications on an employer’s right to restrict employee e-mail communications.

Last week the NLRB ruled …

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Tis the Season of Gift Giving (Policies)

Whether it’s a fruit basket from a vendor or an employee gift exchange, it’s that time of year when the approaching holidays can stir up a frenzy of gift giving in the office. Many companies find themselves struggling to define what is appropriate, fair and festive when it comes to holiday gift giving.  Certainly no one wants to be a Grinch, but creating a clear gift policy ahead of time is an easy way to avoid controversy and liability.  Consider the following tips when creating …

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The Dangers of Using Social Media in Hiring

Hiring a new employee is a major investment.  Not surprisingly, many professionals utilize social media to screen potential candidates prior to making a hiring decision.  Social media can help to confirm a candidate’s professional qualifications and provide insight whether the candidate is a good fit.  At the same time, some employers may use social media to identify potential reasons to reject a candidate, such as posting compromising photographs or making inappropriate statements.  Employers may feel justified in disqualifying a candidate based on their social media

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Restricting Employee Online Activity? Be Careful

Professionals take great pains to develop a positive reputation. Consequently, like all employers, many professionals monitor employee online activity to ensure that it adheres to internal policies and ethical standards.  At times, employers may be justified, or even expected, to take action to limit online activity, such as when an employee makes defamatory statements that could be attributed to the employer.  On the other hand, however, employers must take care not to infringe upon an employee’s statutory rights to voice legitimate criticism of their …

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Does the “Private” E-mail Exist?

Innovations in technology have blurred the lines between work and private life.  Many professionals regularly utilize personal devices, such as smart phones and tablets, while in the office, and can likewise access company files electronically through work-issued computers while at home.  Given the lack of a bright-line distinction between that which is work and that which is private, employees may be tempted to engage in conduct on personal accounts or devices that would otherwise be clearly prohibited in the office.  

Take, for instance, the recent

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