http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/10 Articles discussing workplace law in Florida. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:08:39 EST en-us http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2398 Article: 2398 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Notice Required Prior to Bringing Minimum Wage Suit Under State Minimum Wage Act; Florida Legislature Kills Immigration Bills in Committee; Pregnancy Discrimination Claim Found Not Covered Under Florida Civil Rights Act; http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2382 Article: 2382 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Weeks after Florida's "Guns-at-Work" law went into effect, a federal court in Tallahassee has refused a request from employer groups to halt implementation of the part of the law allowing employees with concealed weapons permits to keep guns locked in their vehicles while at work. Florida Retail Ass'n v. Attorney Gen. of Fla., No. 4:08cv179-RH/WCS (N.D. Fla. Jul. 29, 2008). Under the law, the attorney general has authority to bring civil or administrative action against employers, and any person may bring a civil action against violators. Courts may award costs and attorney's fees to the prevailing party in actions brought under the law. The Florida Attorney General's office is reviewing claims by several companies that assert they are exempt from the law and may prohibit their employees from keeping weapons on employers' property. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2367 Article: 2367 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A federal court in Tallahassee, Florida yesterday refused to enjoin the new Florida law that grants certain employees the right to keep guns secured in their vehicles while they are at work. The new law took effect on July 1, 2008. As a result of this ruling, Florida employers, among other things, must allow workers who have valid concealed firearms permits to bring their guns to work provided the guns are secured in their private vehicles in a parking lot. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2360 Article: 2360 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On Monday, July 28, 2008, a federal judge preliminarily upheld a portion of Florida's "Guns-At-Work" law which went into effect on July 1, 2008. Denying in part, and granting in part, a preliminary injunction sought by Florida business groups, Judge Robert L. Hinkle of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida decided that the portions of the law applicable to employees, as defined by the statute, are likely constitutional and may be enforced, whereas the portions of the law applicable to customers and invitees are unlikely to withstand constitutional scrutiny and may not be enforced. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2356 Article: 2356 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) In a decision highly anticipated by Florida employers, a federal court has refused to enjoin portions of the Florida “Guns at Work” law that apply to employer actions toward employees and applicants, but ruled that the law is only applicable to workers with a valid Florida concealed-carry permit. See Florida Retail Federation v. Attorney General (July 28, 2008). However, the court did issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the law as it applies to a business and its customers. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2355 Article: 2355 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A Federal judge in Florida has issued a mixed ruling on the request for an injunction against the new so-called "guns-at-work" law in Florida. Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida denied the request to enjoin the law as it relates to employees. Therefore, employees with concealed weapons permits will be able to bring guns onto an employer's property if locked in or to a vehicle. The Judge granted the preliminary injunction with respect to business invitees and customers, who, at least for the time being, will not be allowed to bring firearms onto business premises. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2296 Article: 2296 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A Federal judge in Florida has delayed a decision on a request by business groups to halt implementation of the so-called "Bring Your Gun to Work" law. Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida heard arguments on a request by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation to enjoin the law from going into effect as scheduled on July 1, 2008. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2294 Article: 2294 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) As most employers in Florida are aware, the Florida “Guns at Work” law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008. The law, which prohibits public and private employers from banning guns in their parking lots, has been challenged by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation. A federal district court heard argument on the case yesterday (June 25). Although the judge did not rule at the close of the hearing, his comments reflected skepticism of the law. Many employers were hoping the judge would issue an order temporarily prohibiting enforcement of the law; however, the judge stated that he needed more time to consider the issue. The judge also stated that he doubted the groups challenging the law would suffer irreparable harm before he makes a decision, which likely will be in mid-July. Accordingly, it appears the law will take effect July 1, as scheduled. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2268 Article: 2268 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On July 1, 2008, Florida's Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Motor Vehicles Act of 2008 (the "Guns At Work Law") will take effect. The Guns At Work Law provides that no public or private individual or other entity conducting a business in Florida may prohibit any customer, employee, or invitee from keeping a legally owned firearm inside or locked to a motor vehicle in a parking lot. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2255 Article: 2255 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The Florida legislature enacted three bills this session relating to education issues in Florida. Although none have yet been signed by Governor Crist, all three are expected to be signed. Only one (the Ethics in Education Act) has an immediate impact on Florida private schools; it contains a series of requirements that private schools need to plan for. The other two either pertain only to public schools (the bullying law), or reflect a pilot program not yet widely applicable to private schools (extracurricular activities). Here is a brief summary of each.