The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued its final rule on determining whether two or more entities might be given joint employer status for a specific employee. The rule, which is set to go into effect on December 26, will significantly expand the number of people who may be considered to have joint employment. This may have significant consequences for many employees when it comes to issues like compensation, labor organizing, or holding employers accountable for labor or employment law violations.
Author: Steven Mitchell Sack
Employment Arbitration: Five Things You Need to Know
Many employers will use mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts to force their employees to settle certain legal matters in private arbitration. These clauses can have a significant impact on employees’ ability to assert their rights and pursue justice when they are affected by labor and employment law violations. Here are five things you need to know about employment arbitration:
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NY Law Restricts Employer Access to Personal Social Media
A New York law, recently signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, will make it more difficult for employers across the state to access the social media accounts of employees and job applicants. It also makes it illegal for employers to punish employees who refuse to share that information with them. This is intended to protect employees from abusive practices that might otherwise allow employers to monitor employees’ private or protected conduct.
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Seven Signs of Employment Retaliation You Should Watch For
Employment retaliation is when an employer takes action against an employee for reporting violations of labor or employment law, such as discrimination or harassment. Every employee is supposed to be legally protected against this behavior, but this does not stop dishonest employers from engaging in potentially illegal action against employees who report their misbehavior. Here are seven signs of employment retaliation you should watch out for:
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USDOL Steps Up Investigation of Starbucks for Unfair Labor Practices
A federal court has enforced a subpoena by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) against Starbucks as it seeks to investigate the company’s efforts to interfere with labor organizing among its workers. More specifically, it is seeking documents related to spending the company may have done to interfere with an organizing campaign, which may indicate the company engaged in unfair labor practices. This is in spite of efforts by Starbucks to stymie the investigation, claiming that the USDOL was overstepping its authority.
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Governor Signs Law Making Wage Theft a Crime
On September 6, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that will make wage theft a crime under New York State law. Employers who intentionally deprive their employees of their hard-earned wages may now face a felony charge of criminal larceny. This is meant to curb the disturbing trend of wage theft, which has only become a greater problem over time.
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Protecting Yourself Against Wage Theft
Wage theft is one of the most serious financial issues facing workers across America today, and can cost victims thousands of dollars per year. In New York alone, it is estimated that wage theft costs workers approximately $3 billion per year in lost income. But what exactly is wage theft, and how can you protect yourself against it?
Marvel VFX Workers Form Union in Industry First
Visual effects (VFX) artists working for Marvel Studios have voted unanimously to form the first ever union including only VFX workers. The union is being organized through the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and the election was held between August 21 and September 11. Organizers in charge of the event consider this to be an important first step in helping to improve pay and working conditions for VFX artists across the industry.
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NYC Outlaws Height and Weight Discrimination
Mayor Eric Adams has signed an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) that will make height and weight discrimination illegal within the city as of November 22, 2023. The issues of height and weight discrimination are often overlooked, but an increasingly prominent issue in employment law. This would address those concerns by making it illegal to discriminate against an employee based on their height or weight unless one of a handful of exceptions applies.
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Seven Common Types of Unsafe Working Conditions
Every employer has a legal responsibility to ensure the workplace is safe for their employees. However, some employers do not take this responsibility seriously, resulting in an increased risk of injury or death to employees. Here are just seven common types of unsafe working conditions you may find in your workplace:
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