On May 4, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will increase the automatic extension of work authorization from 180 to 540 days for certain applicants for an employment authorization document (EAD). The existing requirements of the rule will remain the same. To qualify for the now 540 day automatic extension of work authorization, the individual: Must … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. We also discussed this in our Labor & Employment client alert here. On March 10, 2022, the Florida legislature passed House Bill 7 (“HB 7”), the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (W.O.K.E.) Act, officially named “Individual Freedom,” but also known as the “Stop WOKE Act.” The bill … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. I contribute an Employment Law advice column to The Human Resources Association of Broward County newsletter. A reader recently asked a question that I thought was important and I wanted to share. ASK JANET: If an organization does not allow telework for any of their employees, but an employee … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. Each fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, there are 65,000 H-1B visas available plus an additional 20,000 H-1B visas for individuals who hold an advanced degree from a U.S. university. The H-1B visa is for aliens in “specialty occupations.” A specialty occupation is defined as an … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. In the midst of the Great Resignation, you would think employers would put forth the extra effort to accommodate employees (and to comply with the law). Yet, last week, the EEOC announced a settlement in a religious discrimination case in which the employer, an Amazon delivery partner, terminated an employee … Continue Reading
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court put the brakes on OSHA’s mandatory vaccination and testing rules for private employers with at least 100 employees. The Court ruled that OSHA exceeded its authority when issuing its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring either mandatory vaccination or weekly testing and face masks. The Court noted that OSHA is charged … Continue Reading
On Friday night, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals gave OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID vaccination new life. As you may remember, OSHA issued an ETS requiring employers with 100 or more employees to adopt a vaccination policy that either made vaccination mandatory, or gave employees a choice between vaccination or weekly testing. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. The working world has turned increasingly digital over the past two years. The nature of our workplace — how we meet, communicate, and commute – has made a rapid shift from the physical to the virtual, precipitated by COVID-related lockdowns and social distancing efforts. But what about how we … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí On November 18, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1B into law, which creates Fla. Stat. 381.00317 and imposes new limitations on private employers’ ability to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace. The law is effective immediately, and now Florida employers must adapt. Here is what you need … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Florida employers face conflicting federal/state legal obligations. It can be tough to keep up. On Thursday of last week, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) establishing mandatory vaccination requirements for employers with 100 or more employees. The regulation was published in … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí. We also discussed this in our Labor & Employment client alert here. After much anticipation, OSHA finally issued its rule for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and testing for certain employers. It is referred to as an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”). While the ETS will be challenged in the courts, employers must still prepare now … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Employers with more than 250 employees have always been required to report “new hires”. Effective October 1, 2021, however, regardless of how many employees an employer has, all Florida employers need to report new hires, and in addition certain “independent contractors” to the Florida Department of Revenue within 20 … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) allows an employer to pay a “tipped” employee less than the minimum wage, provided the tips the employee receives at least make up for the difference between what the employer pays and the statutory minimum wage. The FLSA allows employer to take a … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Effective September 30, 2021, the Florida minimum wage jumped to $10 per hour. This is a significant increase from the previous $8.65 per hour and greater than the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. Florida employers, both public and private, must pay their employees the higher of the two.… Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As millions of Americans continue to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it seems as if there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. For others who have contracted COVID-19, however, they are not as fortunate. Some of these folks face a more harrowing journey because their symptoms … Continue Reading
You heard the following directive yesterday from President Biden: Private employers with 100 or more employees must ensure their workers are vaccinated against COVID-19 or require unvaccinated employees to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis before coming to work. Everyone should take a deep breath. Nothing is required at this … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí In our “Breaking Through the Noise” segment, my peers and I discussed our predictions for the future of the workforce (if you want to hear our thoughts, go to timestamp 1:57:54-2:16:49). One of the trends we discussed was the potential shift to more flexible schedules, including the 4-day workweek. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí In “Breaking Through the Noise,” my colleagues discussed restrictive covenants, including non-compete agreements, as a hot trend in the employment litigation cycle (if you want to hear their thoughts, go to timestamp 44:55-1:00:35). This topic is so hot, the President even had something to say about it! With the … Continue Reading
With Hurricane Elsa heading towards Florida, people are beginning to stock up on water, batteries, gas, and canned food. While it important to be prepared and plan ahead for your home and family, as an HR professional, it is equally as important to make sure your business is safeguarded and appropriate procedures are in place. … Continue Reading
As mandates are lifted and more Americans are getting vaccinated, many people are beginning to feel comfortable in group settings, especially outdoors. After more than a year of limited in-person celebrations, 4th of July is the first major holiday that may see more people gathering and wanting to embrace the time off work. This holiday … Continue Reading
Thank you to our clients and friends who have watched ”Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic” so far! We hope you enjoyed it and were provided with timely, relevant and valuable insight. If you have not tuned in yet, the program is available on demand to watch at your leisure. CLICK HERE TO WATCH! Below … Continue Reading
IT’S SHOW TIME! Breaking Through the Noise, our much anticipated 2.5 hour “TV News” program addressing employment issues that you will need to know about in a post-pandemic business environment, is available NOW. CLICK TO WATCH! Block off some time on your calendar now through Sunday, June 20th at 11:59pm ET to enjoy the program! … Continue Reading
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! We are excited to announce the air date for Breaking through the Noise, our much anticipated 2.5 hour “TV News” program addressing employment issues that you will need to know about in a post-pandemic business environment. The program will be available to view on our website at your leisure from Wednesday, June … Continue Reading
For the last 30 years, we have put on a live, all-day conference attended by hundreds of our clients and friends across Florida. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the seminar was cancelled again this year. As we know almost everyone is Zoom-ed and webinar-ed out, we thought we’d do something different this year – a two-hour … Continue Reading
