In a shocking twist that may be indicative of future developments, the Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the use of so-called “direct observation” drug tests by employers. This test is, in effect, a standard urine test used to detect the presence of drugs in a person’s system, except the employees are put under “direct observation” to make sure they did not swap out someone else’s urine. Employee rights advocates are outraged at the decision, which effectively makes it legal to watch an employee urinate when giving a sample for a drug test. Continue reading “Ohio Supreme Court Upholds “Direct Observation” Drug Test”
Author: Steven Mitchell Sack
Five Potential Benefits of Forming a Labor Union
Unionization is an often-controversial subject, but also one with substantial practical implications. Many people reflexively oppose unionization precisely because of how politicized it can be, but for people working in certain jobs, a union can provide many potential benefits. Here are just five potential ways you can benefit from forming a labor union at your place of employment: Continue reading “Five Potential Benefits of Forming a Labor Union”
What Happens When an Employee is Misclassified?
Employee misclassification is a surprisingly widespread problem across many industries, and yet it is poorly understood by most workers. And yet, whether an employee is properly classified can have a massive impact on their taxes, income, and benefits. So, why is it that some employees are misclassified, and what can you do to deal with it? Continue reading “What Happens When an Employee is Misclassified?”
When Are Opioid Users Protected by Anti-Discrimination Law?
Addiction to opioids is a prevalent problem that affects people from every economic class and social background, and which remains a major public health problem. In addition to issues with physical and psychological health, people who are dealing with opioid addiction often face problems at work when their problems become revealed. To address these issues, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued guidance to employers and healthcare providers about potential implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on handling employees dealing with current or past opioid addiction. Continue reading “When Are Opioid Users Protected by Anti-Discrimination Law?”
NY Federal Court Strikes Down Rule Limiting COVID Paid Leave
A New York federal court has struck down a United States Department of Labor (DOL) rule that limited who could benefit from a law that granted paid leave due to the coronavirus. The court stated the DOL overstepped its authority by issuing the limitation and said that there was no basis in law for the rule it issued. Additionally, it struck down an interpretation of the law that expanded an exception for “health care providers,” and partially vacated other interpretations of the law which limited people’s ability to take time off. Continue reading “NY Federal Court Strikes Down Rule Limiting COVID Paid Leave”
SCOTUS Upholds Religious Objection to ACA Contraceptive Mandate
In a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, it was held that the religious exemption to the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) contraceptive mandate applied to all businesses with a religious or moral objection, not merely churches or other religious orders. This ruling could have a significant impact on healthcare benefits for employees around the country and could have other implications in related fields of law. This case is part of a growing trend by the court that has granted ever greater religious freedoms to employers, often at the expense of their employees. Continue reading “SCOTUS Upholds Religious Objection to ACA Contraceptive Mandate”
Blocking Charge Rule Change Challenged by AFL-CIO
The AFL-CIO, the largest association of unions in the United States, is seeking to stop the implementation of a rule that would weaken the “blocking charge” rule currently in place. The AFL-CIO has claimed that the rule was passed in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and that it was based on several factual errors that were not corrected. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which created the rule, is defending the new rule, stating that the factual errors were not material and that there was no APA violation. Continue reading “Blocking Charge Rule Change Challenged by AFL-CIO”
Heat Exposure During Summer Remains Issue Even During Coronavirus
The coronavirus is the single greatest health crisis facing the United States right now, but that does not mean that all the other potential health hazards suddenly went away. And even with people spending more time indoors to avoid exposure to COVID-19, heat exposure remains a serious hazard during the summer. Reflecting this reality, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance to employers on how to protect their employees from heat exposure while also keeping them safe from COVID. Continue reading “Heat Exposure During Summer Remains Issue Even During Coronavirus”
Employers Can Discipline Newly Unionized Employees According to NLRB
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a ruling making it permissible for an employer to discipline newly unionized employees for violations of the company’s disciplinary policy. The ruling overturns a 2016 decision which made it illegal for an employer to discipline a newly unionized employee due to concerns of potential abuse. However, the Board has ruled that employers have no legal obligation to consider whether an employee has been recently unionized before disciplining them. Continue reading “Employers Can Discipline Newly Unionized Employees According to NLRB”
Mandatory Tests for Antibodies Not Permissible According to EEOC
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has clarified a rule with respect to employers testing their employees for COVID infection. While it is permissible for an employer to test if an employee is currently showing signs of coronavirus infection, it is not permissible to test if they have COVID antibodies. This is an important distinction to make as people begin to return to work and the coronavirus continues to be a threat, even in places like New York where infections have leveled off. Continue reading “Mandatory Tests for Antibodies Not Permissible According to EEOC”
