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.
Category: On-the-Job Issues
On-the-Job Issues explained by New York Employment Lawyer 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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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?
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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Seven Common Reasons Employees Go on Strike
Employees have a legal right to strike against their employer over grievances with their workplace or their terms of employment. By striking, employees can force employers to the negotiating table for the purposes of collective bargaining, which can potentially improve their circumstances. Here are seven of the most common reasons that employees go on strike:
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OSHA Issues Alert Warning of Dangers of Extreme Heat
In the wake of an unprecedented heat wave, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an alert to employers to watch for the dangers of extreme heat. While high temperatures can be threatening to anyone, it can be especially dangerous for certain professions, where the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are high. Employers who force employees to work in these conditions without taking appropriate precautions can place their lives at risk.
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What it Means to Organize for Better Working Conditions
One of the primary reasons that people will engage in labor organizing, including striking, is to help obtain better working conditions. In this way, they can make their job easier, safer, and more comfortable for themselves and everyone at their job. But what exactly does it mean to strike for better working conditions, and how can labor organizing help to achieve that?
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New NLRB Ruling Affects Who May Be Considered an “Independent Contractor”
In a recent decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has changed how determinations will be made to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or not. In previous decisions, the NLRB has said that it would prioritize the entrepreneurial opportunities of a worker to determine whether they qualify as an independent contractor. In this decision, however, they have said they will look to a wide variety of factors to determine if someone qualifies for that classification.
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