Ver la versión en español aquí Businesses often ask customers to sign a waiver before renting a Sea-Doo, zip-lining, tubing, or perhaps even so your child can bounce on a trampoline or in a bounce house. But can a business use a waiver to avoid liability if a customer contracts COVID-19 after visiting the business? … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí While we are all busy thinking about ways to safeguard ourselves, our families, and our businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, let us not forget that hurricane season is just around the corner. It runs from June 1 through November 30. Unfortunately, NOAA has predicted a busy 2020 Atlantic hurricane … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Where did the 8 hour, 5 day work week come from? Ford Motor Company in 1914, but it was a long time coming. Before that, factories were open around-the-clock with employees working long days and 100 hour weeks. In the late 1880s, a labor movement started using a slogan … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí While some of you may be looking forward to brackets, watch parties, and cheering on your favorite college basketball team, employers should also be thinking about a different type of March Madness – preparing for the H-1B Visa New Registration Process! The USCIS recently announced the implementation of a … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On January 31, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new Form I-9, designated as the 10/21/2019 version. The only changes are the additions of Eswatini and Macedonia, North to the list of countries in the drop down fields on the fillable version of the Form and … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí You survived Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. Will you “survive” the office holiday party and the HR land mines it presents? Please don’t let anyone show up to the party dressed like this guy. What’s a party without alcohol, and what’s a law blog without a curmudgeon preaching … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As a result of court orders prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from terminating Temporary Protected Status, DHS is again extending the program for certain countries. TPS Country Current Expiration Date New Expiration Date El Salvador 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Haiti 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Nicaragua 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Sudan 01/02/2020 01/04/2021 Honduras … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On October 25, Elitsa posted on the increase in Florida’s minimum wage to $8.56 an hour, effective January 1. Because of that increase, Florida employers who take a tip credit must pay tipped employees a direct wage of at least $5.54 per hour. The U.S. Department of Labor has … Continue Reading
With Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall this weekend, Floridians are stocking up on water, batteries, gas, and canned food. It’s important to be prepared and plan ahead for your home and family. Please see our suggestions below on important action items to take to prepare for and recover after a storm.… Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí It sounds dreamy doesn’t it? The other morning on my drive to work, I heard a story on the radio program Marketplace about four day workweeks. According to the most recent Marketplace – Edison Research Poll, nearly two-thirds of the workers polled said they would prefer a four day … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí It is time to stock up on bottled water and fresh batteries and consider trimming those trees. It is also time for businesses to dust off and freshen up their emergency policies and procedures. Please see our suggestions below on what to review.… Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí With Friday’s agreement to re-open government operations, at least temporarily, E-Verify is once again operational. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided the following guidance to employers who participate in the E-Verify program. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí One of the casualties of the partial government shutdown is the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. Employers that participate in E-Verify verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees by electronically matching information provided by employees on the Form I-9 against records available to the Social … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Over the past several months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated temporary protected status (TPS) designation for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti and El Salvador. The citizens of these countries in TPS will lose their work authorization and the right to remain in the United States. A federal court … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Following the recent trend, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Honduras. TPS will terminate for qualifying citizens of Honduras on January 5, 2020. Hondurans currently in TPS status may continue working in the United States through January 5, 2020, if they … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí After years of good fortune, the 2017 Hurricane Season severely impacted most of South Florida and the Gulf Coast. Even those of us who suffered little or no property damage probably lost power for at least a few days, and many had no electricity for weeks. Businesses had difficulty … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On November 20, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti, with a delayed effective date of July 22, 2019. It was not until January 18, however, that the DHS provided guidance to Haitian nationals and their employers about what would happen … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduran nations will be extended by six months, to July 5, 2018, while the administration decides whether to continue TPS designation for Honduras. The DHS also announced that it would not renew TPS designation … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As many of you by now, on September 18, 2017, employers must start using the new Form I-9 that USCIS released on July 17. You can identify the new Form I-9 by the designation “Form I-9 07/17/17 N” in the lower left corner of the page. You can find … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the U.S. The extension is for only six months and there is a good possibility that DHS will decline to extend TPS status for Haitian nationals beyond January … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As we approach another H-1B filing season this April, we thought it would be interesting to look at the types of occupations and employers that take advantage of both the H-1B visa and permanent residence process. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released data shedding light on who … Continue Reading
We all know that honesty is the best policy but what about an honest mistake? Can an honest mistake save you from liability in a retaliation lawsuit under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? Just last month, federal appeals court in Pennsylvania said – Yes. In Capps v. Mondelez Global, LLC, the federal 3rd … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí It is that time of year again – Holiday Party Season! What’s a party without alcohol, and what’s a law blog without a curmudgeon preaching moderation and reasonableness? (Paramount Pictures’ 2016 trailer for Office Christmas Party shows just how out of control these parties can get!) We all know the … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí How many times have you had to terminate an employee with an expired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) who had filed for a new EAD card but who was waiting for the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to issue the new EAD card? That sorry situation may be a … Continue Reading
