Most states have some type of reporting pay law so that when an employer schedules an employee to work, the employee is guaranteed some minimum amount of work or pay.
On March 1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) sued Boston, Massachusetts-based contractor Tara Construction Inc. and its Chief Executive Officer, alleging that they retaliated against an injured employee by facilitating his arrest by immigration law enforcement officers.
On January 25, 2019, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overruled an Obama-era NLRB decision on determining when workers would be classified as independent contractors rather than employees and restored entrepreneurship as a key element in the test.
As we come to the close of the year, employers need to be aware of upcoming increases for next year. Many states and municipalities have enacted increases in minimum wage rates that will take effect as early as December 31, 2018.
The National Labor Relations Act (The Act) allows that employees in uniform have some right to wear union buttons and insignia while working, although most employers would prefer to maintain the uniformity of their uniforms and thus control over its image.
On May 30th, Governor Phil Scott signed a new sexual harassment law for the state of Vermont that aspires to provide greater legal protection in light of the #MeToo movement, not just for employees, but volunteers, interns and independent contractors.