http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/10 Articles discussing workplace law in Florida. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:11:40 EST en-us http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2797 Article: 2797 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Florida has a large contingent of National Guard members, and it is more likely than not companies may be faced with the challenge of employees seeking reinstatement after returning from active duty. The state’s military affairs law (Section 250.482) protects the reemployment rights of National Guard members returning from active duty. The law has been amended, effective July 1, 2009, to provide greater protection to National Guard members by, among other things, prohibiting an employer from discharging a returning member for the one-year period following the date the member returns to work, except for cause. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2788 Article: 2788 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) As most employers are aware, the federal minimum wage rate will increase to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. Currently, the state minimum wage rate in Florida is $7.21 per hour. However, because federal law requires that businesses comply with the higher of state or federal minimum wage rates, on July 24, Florida employers will be required to comply with the higher federal rate of $7.25 per hour. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2775 Article: 2775 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Florida employers now have the option of using payroll debit cards to pay their employees. The state has amended its wage law to include payroll debit cards as an instrument for the payment of wages and salary, effective July 1. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2576 Article: 2576 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Here’s a common situation: You have an employment agreement with your employee in which the parties agree to a specific length of employment. The agreement also contains a noncompete and/or a nonsolicitation agreement which states that the employee will not compete with you or solicit your customers for a certain period of time that runs from the “termination of the employment agreement.” http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2539 Article: 2539 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Florida Appeals Court Finds Pregnancy Discrimination Claim Covered Under the Florida Civil Rights Act; National Labor Relations Act Protects Non-Union Employees of Florida Employers; OSHA Proposes Comprehensive Rules to Prevent Crane Accidents; P2P File Sharing Networks – Unintended Gateway to Company’s Trade Secrets, Employee Social Security Numbers and Other Sensitive Information http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2526 Article: 2526 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On January 1, 2009, the minimum wage in Florida will be rising to $7.21 per hour. This represents an hourly increase of $0.42 over the current Florida minimum wage of $6.79. The rise in the Florida minimum wage is a result of the Florida Minimum Wage Amendment passed by Florida voters in November 2004 which initially set the minimum wage at $6.15 per hour and calls for annual increases tied to the rate of inflation. This minimum wage applies to all employees eligible to receive the federal minimum wage. 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.