News, advice and common issues regarding negotiation issues in the workplace by The Employee’s Lawyer.
In the beginning of 2017, New York City adopted The Establishing Protections for Freelance Workers Act. The law provides that a company must:
Continue reading “Changes To The Freelance Law In New York City”
New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced that Examination Management Services, Inc. (EMSI), a medical information and examination services firm, has agreed not to require its non-management employees in the state to enter into restrictive covenants, also known as non-compete agreements. This was reported in Newsday.
For the first time in history, college athletes are petitioning to be represented by labor unions and have taken the first step in the process of being recognized as employees under the National Labor Relations Act.
Continue reading “College Athletes Petition to Become Union”
Ramon Alcantara, a former employee of Pebble Beach Co. for over 20 years, alleges he was fired as a result of age discrimination late in 2013. According to the complaint, Alcantara, who is over 55 years of age, injured his back while replacing a 50-pound pump motor at the beach and tennis club.
Continue reading “Golf Course Accused of Age Discrimination by Former Employee”
A new law which took effect on December 1, 2013 makes New Jersey the latest of a growing number of states – including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington – that prohibit employers from requesting access to the social media accounts of current or prospective employees. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating or discriminating against any such individual who either refuses to provide such access or who complains about what he or she believes to be a violation of the law.
Continue reading “New Jersey Limits Employer Access to Employees’ Social Media Accounts”
On October 21, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed amendments to the New York Labor Law, Art. 4-A, §§ 150-154, the laws governing employment of child performers. The new law went into effect on November 20, 2013. The amendments expand coverage of the law to include runway and print models under the age of 18, a significant feat since these youngsters previously were not afforded the same protections as young entertainers such as child actors.
As a result of the new law, employers of child models (as well as their parents or guardians) will have additional responsibilities and obligations. Some of the most notable include:
Continue reading “New Amendment to New York Labor Law Includes Underage Models as Protected Class”
If you are working at Starbucks and think your “shift supervisors” shouldn’t be sharing in your tips, then it may be time to move out of New York State and into Massachusetts.
The 2nd Circuit Court, whose jurisdiction extends to New York, Vermont and Connecticut, ruled against baristas in a class action claiming that their shift supervisors should not be allowed to grab a cut of their bounty under state labor law. In 2008, baristas Jeana Barenboim and Jose Ortiz sued Starbucks for more than $5 million on behalf of more than 5,000 of their fellow employees serving at 400 New York stores. They claimed that the chain’s corporate structure made them share their hard-earned tips with their “shift supervisors,” whom they alleged to be actually their bosses. This put the company in violation of New York Labor Law, according to the lawsuit.
Continue reading “New York Court Rules Against Starbucks’ Employees in A Suit about Tips”
Finding a job is hard enough without having to worry about the integrity of your employer. However, the amount of scams out there is numerous and if a potential employee is not careful, they can be the victim of one that can have major consequences for their career. It is vital to get informed and know what to ask and look for in a potential employer.
Here’s a section of my book “The Employee Rights Handbook” that deals with tips an employee should know before taking any position at a company. Get informed and know your rights to see how these laws may affect you!
Continue reading “Can You Trust A Potential Employer? Here Are Some Tips!”
Many people who are fired forfeit valuable unemployment insurance benefits. This is because they do not know how to act or represent themselves properly at unemployment hearings. Many are told by unemployment personnel that a lawyer or other representative is not required and that preparation for the hearing is unnecessary. They then attend the hearing and are surprised to learn that the employer is represented by experienced counsel who has brought witnesses to testify against their version of the facts. Other people lose at the hearing because they do not know the purpose of their testimony or what they must prove to receive benefits.
For you to ensure you’re not one of the countless individuals that fall within this trap, it is crucial you get informed and know what is expected of you, and your rights.
As the economy took a turn for the worse, many individuals that would have reached retirement age have chosen to stay in the workplace longer in order to stay afloat with their bills. Out of necessity, it is a reality that many older employees are in the workforce more than ever before. However, many employers have enacted illegal business practices in an attempt to rid their companies and businesses of the older generation. This, fortunately, is protected under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and should be taken very seriously.
If you or a loved one believes that you have been fired or received poor treatment as a result of your age, you may have a legal claim. Here’s a section of my book “The Employee Rights Handbook” that deals with just that. Read now and get informed!
Continue reading “Age is Just a Number…Or At Least It Should Be”
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