With many Americans still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, the next storm is already approaching. Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, is approaching Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as other islands in the Caribbean. Florida and the Southeastern states in the U.S. appear next in her anticipated path. As discussed at length in Littler’s recent article concerning Hurricane Harvey, employers have many priorities to juggle when a hurricane hits.
Articles Discussing General Human Resources Issues.
What Issues May Employers Be Required to Address as Hurricane Irma Threatens?
Executive Summary: As Florida and the East Coast of the U.S. brace for Hurricane Irma, the approaching storm serves as a reminder that employers should be prepared to address storm-related issues if they are required to close their businesses and as they prepare to resume normal operations. For example, employers need to determine whether closing the office means having to pay workers who stay home, being on the hook for unemployment compensation, and whether workers’ compensation applies to weather-related injuries.
WPI State of the States: Labor Day Edition
The holiday weekend marked the end of summer fun, but state legislatures across the country remained hard at work in August. Roughly nine statehouses are in active session. In other jurisdictions, such as Florida and Ohio, lawmakers are pre-filing bills for consideration in the next term.
Employers Should Be Prepared to Deal with the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
Executive Summary: In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, many employers are faced with questions as they prepare to resume normal operations. Some of the most common questions, such as those arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, are addressed below. Employers in Texas, which was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Harvey, should be aware of specific state laws that may affect them, which are also discussed below.
Picking Up the Pieces: Employer Responsibilities in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey is relentlessly drenching southeast Texas and the surrounding areas, resulting in unprecedented flooding and damage. As the storm rages, many employers are wondering how to respond and what happens next. After the waters and dangers subside—and even as they continue to process the personal toll inflicted by the storm—affected employers will face a host of legal and practical issues. This article summarizes some of the primary questions that may arise in the near term.
Timeline for Compliance with New DFS Cybersecurity Regulations
The deadline to comply with the first set of requirements under the new DFS Cybersecurity Regulations (“the Regulations”) is here! By today, August 28, 2017, businesses subject to the Regulations must ensure that they:
Back to School Bulletin! Special State Leave Laws Can Apply for Parents
And so the annual tradition unfolds: shopping for new gym shoes, labelling crayon boxes, and posting “first day” pictures on social media. Along with No. 2 pencils disappearing from the supplies closet, employers might also notice an increase in time-off requests from employees for school-related events. With all the excitement this time of year, employers should not forget that they might need to do some homework, too. In fact, certain states have statutes that authorize parents to take time off from work to attend school functions.
Artificial Intelligence Enabled Cybersecurity Systems
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled cybersecurity systems is increasing dramatically. By 2018, sixty-two percent of all companies are projected to use AI technologies.
Don’t Let a Legal Claim Eclipse This Solar Event
On the afternoon of August 21, 2017, the first total eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland since 1979 will cut a “path of totality” through the Carolinas (including Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston). While communities along its path are preparing for eclipse viewing events and throngs of visitors and spectators, Monday undoubtedly will be business as usual for many employers.
WPI State of the States: Statehouses Continue to Release Summer Blockbusters
Despite recent publicity surrounding bills pending in the U.S. Congress, state legislatures have not lost their focus. More than 30 states have concluded their legislative sessions, and another half-dozen are in recess. But the roughly 12 active states remain busy, considering and enacting a variety of labor and employment bills.
Hey, Where’d Everybody Go? Employers Beware—Solar Eclipse Mania Sweeps the Nation
You look around the office in August, and suddenly, without warning, everyone is gone. Or perhaps human resources and managers are starting to realize that an unusual number of employees have just asked for the same time off. What’s so special about August 21, 2017? What on Earth is going on?
Employers Should Be Aware of Pitfalls When Entering into Severance Agreements
Severance agreements in the workplace have evolved considerably during the last twenty-five years. The idea of severance being paid to an employee only where a company has an established severance plan is no longer a reality. Employers often enter into severance agreements with employees for the sole purpose of obtaining a release from the employee of any claims the employee has against the company. In return for the release, the employer pays a “severance” to the employee.
U.S. Supreme Court Round Up – 2016-2017
The U.S. Supreme Court term that ended June 2017 included a number of decisions important to workplace law, as well as the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch. Although functioning with only eight justices for most of the 2016-2017 term, the Court managed to achieve a strong consensus in each of its employment-related rulings.
WPI State of the States: State Legislatures and Governors Turn Up the Heat
As the dog days of summer settle in, most statehouses have closed up shop. Legislatures in approximately 12 states remain in regular session, however, with a couple more active in special session. Roughly 200 labor and employment bills were considered in June, although only around 40 new bills were introduced. New Jersey introduced the most measures, with about 15, with Pennsylvania taking second place with 10 bills.
Email – It’s the New Letter
How an employee’s work performance is documented can make the difference between winning and losing at trial. In this podcast, Shareholder Helene Wasserman from Littler’s Los Angeles office and Co-Chair of Littler’s Trials and Litigation Practice Group discusses how email has invaded the domain previously reserved for more formal written communications, and what steps to take to help protect your company from costly e-mistakes.