The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is moving forward on rulemaking for a workplace violence standard in the health care and social assistance industry. While it is unlikely that OSHA will propose a general industry workplace violence rule, it is important to note that nearly…
Is AT&T’s Return-to-Office Mandate a Mass Layoff in Disguise?
Phone company AT&T Inc. has 350 offices spread across all 50 states, and many employees have worked from home since the pandemic began, so it came as a shock when the company in May announced that 60,000 managers must report to work in person—but at offices in just nine locations. Many employees…
California’s Modified Background Regulations Took Effect Oct. 1
Modified regulations to California’s Fair Chance Act approved by the California Civil Rights Council went into effect Oct. 1. Under these changes, employers must take several steps when notifying an applicant about a disqualification. They must provide a notice of disqualifying conviction that is…
A Cautionary Tale Regarding the ‘Reasonable Belief’ Doctrine
The “honest belief doctrine” holds that if an employer had an honest belief regarding its nondiscriminatory reason for a discharge decision, the reason would not be deemed to be a “pretext” for unlawful discrimination, even if the evidence later demonstrated that the belief was mistaken. However,…
EEOC Issues Final Regulation on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a final rule to implement the Pregnant…
New EEOC Pregnant Workers Rule Adds Requirements This Month
The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission’s final regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will take effect June 18, providing explanation and guidance for employers in implementing the PWFA in their workplaces and understanding how the law will be enforced. The law, which has been in effect…
Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index: Unsteady Improvements
Employee confidence increased slightly in July, according to the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index. The share of employees reporting a positive six-month business outlook ticked up to 48.1% in July, a small increase from 47.8% in June. Employee confidence has made progress since its record low…
Illinois Passes State Law Offering Protection to Employees From Unfair Enforcement of Employment Verification Practices
Illinois Senate Bill 0508, effective Jan. 1, 2025, provides additional employment protections for individuals flagged by an employment eligibility verification system, including federal E-Verify, as having identification discrepancies. SB0508 clarifies an employee’s rights in the event of an…
Employee Benefits and the New Overtime Rules
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Employers Should Be Very Clear When Including Arbitration Agreements in Online Applications
In Marshall v. Georgetown Memorial Hospital, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit refused to compel arbitration of an applicant’s failure to hire claim despite the arbitration agreement in the employer’s online application materials. The applicant applied for the first time in…