“Paid time off” (PTO) hours are indistinguishable from earned vacation time under the Nebraska Wage Payment and Collection Act; accordingly, since that Act requires an employer to pay earned but unused vacation leave to an employee upon separation of employment, employers must likewise pay terminating employees their unused PTO benefits upon separation of employment, the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled. Fisher v. PayFlex Systems, USA, Inc., and Norton v. PayFlex Systems, USA, Inc., 285 Neb. 808 (May 3, 2013).
Articles About Nebraska Labor And Employment Law.
Nebraska Court Addresses Meaning of “Solicitation” in Non-Compete Agreement
A Federal Court in Nebraska issued a preliminary injunction enforcing an employee non-compete agreement in a case that explains, for the first time, what a Nebraska court may consider “solicitation.” The case, Farm Credit Services of America v. Opp, No. 8:12-cv-382 (D. Neb. 2013), involved a crop insurance salesman, Opp, who signed a non-compete agreement at the beginning of his employment. The employer, FCSA, provided crop insurance sales training, helped Opp satisfy licensing and continuing education requirements, and assigned him a set of policies to service. FCSA also helped Opp develop customers by providing him leads and financial support to entertain customers. Opp was eventually terminated in May 2012.
Nebraska Legislature Considers Sexual Orientation Protection and Social Media Access Bills
Two recent bills introduced in the current session of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature would affect employers in Nebraska by imposing additional obligations on them to employees and applicants.
Getting Beyond “Name, Rank, and Serial Number” — Nebraska Passes Job Reference Immunity Law
Add Nebraska to the growing number of states that have granted civil immunity to employers that provide job references to prospective employers of their current or former employees. Approved by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman on April 10, 2012, the law, LB 959, will take effect on July 18, 2012.
New Omaha Ordinance Prohibits Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination in Employment
The City of Omaha has joined many other major American cities in barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Omaha City Council, by a 4-3 vote, approved an ordinance extending protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. Mayor Jim Suttle signed the ordinance into law, which went into effect March 28. The amendment to Omaha’s equal employment opportunity ordinance prohibits employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations and businesses that contract with the City from discriminating against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.