Political speech in the workplace has become a growing concern for employers in recent years. The polarized political climate, combined with the increasing use of social media and digital communication, has amplified the visibility and impact of employees’ political views. While political discourse can foster vibrant and diverse ideas, it
Archives for September 15, 2024
State Department Announces FY 2024 Visa Limits Have Been Reached for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EW, EB-4, and EB-5 Unreserved Categories
The U.S. Department of State has announced that annual visa limits for fiscal year (FY) 2024 have been reached for the following employment-based categories: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EW (other workers), EB-4, and EB-5 unreserved.
October 2024 Visa Bulletin Shows Some Advancement in Key Employment-Based Categories, Though EB-3 China Retrogresses
The October 2024 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State and shows some encouraging movement forward from last month in many key categories. However, EB-3 China retrogresses and there is some disappointing lack of movement in certain final action dates. Retrogression is less common in October,
Beltway Buzz, September 13, 2024
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
Puerto Rico Secretary of Labor Clarifies the Application of Act No. 27-2024
On September 10, 2024, the Puerto Rico Secretary of Labor issued an Opinion (No. 2024-02) to clarify and provide additional information about the application of Act No. 27-2024, known as the “Act to Facilitate the Implementation of Remote Work in the Private Sector and to Incentivize the Establishment of Airline
How to Navigate FLAG System Updated for New H-2A Farmworker Visa Rule and Court Order
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced its H-2A Transition Plan for updating its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system based on the preliminary injunction (known as the Kansas Order) issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Southern Georgia. That order prevents the DOL from enforcing its new
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Clarifies Franchisee vs. Employee Classification
In the ever-evolving landscape of employment law, a recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) opinion, Patel v. 7-Eleven, Inc., has shed light on a critical question: When is a franchisee considered an employee of the franchisor? This question was at the heart of a case involving five franchisees and the
Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act Does Not Require That Restrictive Covenants Contain Express Geographic Restriction
In June 2023, the Georgia Court of Appeals held in North American Senior Benefits, LLC v. Wimmer that an employee non-solicitation covenant must contain an express geographic limitation to be enforceable.
Exploring AI Risks Reported in SEC Filings Can Be Helpful For Many Organizations, Including SMBs
One of our recent posts discussed the uptick in AI risks reported in SEC filings, as analyzed by Arize AI. There, we highlighted the importance of strong governance for mitigating some of these risks, but we didn’t address the specific risks identified in those SEC filings. We discuss them briefly
Hundreds show support for striking hotel workers at Greater Boston Labor Council’s Labor Day breakfast
Hundreds of trade unionists and several high-profile Massachusetts politicians gathered outside of the Hilton Park Plaza Hotel for the Greater Boston Labor Council’s annual Labor Day breakfast on September 3. Rather than merely celebrating the holiday, the event turned into a large-scale show of support for the close to 1,000
Power At Work Blogcast #60: Celebrate Later, Fight Now: A Labor Day to Remember in Boston
On Labor Day, Monday, September 2, the Greater Boston Labor Council held their annual Labor Day Breakfast. The event featured many notable speakers, from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to labor leaders such as Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch. This breakfast was unlike
Silicon Valley’s Dark Side: How Gaming Culture Became a Tool to Exploit Workers
Last month, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivered a provocative talk at Stanford’s School of Engineering. He claimed that Google is falling behind Anthropic and OpenAI in the latest wave of technological innovation because Google prioritizes engineers’ work-life balance over winning the innovation race. The recorded talk went viral on
Gen Z’s Experiences and Optimism Make Them Worker Power Warriors
Unionization and an interest in worker power may seem to be far from the minds of younger generations. However, Generation Z — born between 1997 and 2012, with those a part of it ranging from 12 to 27 years old today — has shown record breaking support for unions, signaling
Minding Wage and Hour Laws in Your Drycleaning Business (Part 1)
Bradford Kelley and Mike Paglialonga explain the basics of wage and hour laws and why it’s critical for business owners to ensure their business complies with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
American Drycleaner
Illinois Prohibits Unfair Enforcement of Employment Verification Practices
Deepti Orekondy and Jorge R. Lopez discuss the new rights and protections provided under lllinois’ new Senate Bill 0508, which provides additional employment protections for individuals flagged by an employment eligibility verification system.
SHRM
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