Over the past century, labor laws have evolved to protect many classes of individuals — including men, women and children. US labor laws protections regulate workplace conditions including: harassment and discrimination in the workplace, workers’ health, and minimum pay. However, in recent years, the social progress of employment protections have come under question regarding a specific group of people….interns. In late March 2014, interns in New York City were granted the rights and protections that they argue they so rightfully deserve.
Category: On-the-Job Issues
On-the-Job Issues explained by New York Employment Lawyer Steven Mitchell Sack
Pennsylvania Senator Proposes New Anti-Employment Discrimination Bill
Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach proposed a bill in late March that would ban employment discrimination based on an applicant’s marital or familial status.
Profiling based on marital or parental status occurs when potential employers ask job applicants if they have children, plan to have children, or are married. Leach contends that all too often, a qualified applicant makes it to the final stages of the hiring process, only to be asked if they have children. If the answer is yes, the job suddenly goes to somebody else.
Continue reading “Pennsylvania Senator Proposes New Anti-Employment Discrimination Bill”
Former Employee Loses Job After Reporting Discrimination
As an employee, you spend much of your time and energy dedicated to your work and career. In return, you expect compensation but you also expect to be treated fairly, honestly and with respect. Unfortunately, workplace discrimination occurs all too often around the country and it acts a reminder of the difficulties many employees have to face.
Continue reading “Former Employee Loses Job After Reporting Discrimination”
College Athletes Petition to Become Union
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”
New Act May Affect Commercial Goods Transportation Contractors in NY
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an act earlier this year that will have a significant impact on employers in the transportation industry by changing the tests used to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The act, titled the “New York State Commercial Goods Transportation Industry Fair Play Act,” takes effect on March 11 and amends the New York Labor Law.
Continue reading “New Act May Affect Commercial Goods Transportation Contractors in NY”
Domino’s Employees Back at Work before the 2013 Holidays
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, announced in December 2013 that an agreement has been reached to reinstate 25 employees before the end of the holiday season. The employment of the workers ended suddenly, earlier in the month, following wage dispute with store management.
“Because of this agreement, 25 workers will be back to work in time for the holidays,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.
Continue reading “Domino’s Employees Back at Work before the 2013 Holidays”
Golf Course Accused of Age Discrimination by Former Employee
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”
Haitian Nurse Sues New York Hospital for Racial Discrimination
Diana St Gerard, 64, a nurse in the mental health unit at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, Long Island claims that she was mocked by colleagues who said her Haitian accent was “irritating.” More importantly, Ms. St Gerard alleges that she was fired after complaining that several white staffers discriminated against her, minority patients and their families. She went on to explain that a co-worker even mocked her with a voodoo doll because of her nationality.
Continue reading “Haitian Nurse Sues New York Hospital for Racial Discrimination”
Maryland Hooters Waitress Claims Race Discrimination Over Hair Color
While many would think a Hooters waitress would have a charge for sexual assault pending, a former waitress of the chain has a legal matter of a different kind: a civil rights action. Farryn Johnson, 25, alleges she was fired from her job as a waitress at the Hooters restaurant after she was told by managers that her hair color violated the employee image standards.
Continue reading “Maryland Hooters Waitress Claims Race Discrimination Over Hair Color”
New Jersey Limits Employer Access to Employees’ Social Media Accounts
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”
