Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Do Florida Workers Have the Right to Take Medical Leave?
If you have a serious illness, injury, or other type of medical issue, you may be considering taking time off from your job. This raises an important question: Do employees in Florida have a guaranteed right to take medical leave? The answer is “it depends”—some workers may be eligible to take job-protected, unpaid leave… Read More »
Are Employers Legally Required to Provide Meal Breaks or Rest Breaks in Florida?
The standard eight hour shift can be a long time—especially if you work at a busy or stressful job in a hectic environment. Most employers in Florida offer rest breaks and/or meal breaks to full-time hourly workers. Doing so can actually help increase overall productivity. You may be wondering: Is my employer required to… Read More »
Does an Employer Have to Pay Out Accrued, Unused PTO When You Leave a Job in Florida?
Paid-time-off (PTO) is a crucial employment benefit for many workers in Florida. Often, a worker will gradually accrue PTO. What happens if you suddenly leave your company—either voluntarily or involuntarily—without using all of your accrued PTO? Does your employer have to pay it out? In Florida, the answer is generally “no”—though many companies will… Read More »
DOL Finds that Florida Employer Unlawfully Retaliated Against Worker in Violation of FMLA
On June 20th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that an employer has been held legally liable for unlawfully retaliating against a worker who exercised their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This article includes a more detailed overview of the enforcement action as well as a guide to… Read More »
Six Things to Know About Pregnancy Discrimination in Florida
If you or your loved one is a pregnant worker who was subject to unfair treatment in the workplace, you may have a pregnancy discrimination claim under federal or state law. In this article, you will find an overview of six key things that employees should know about pregnancy discrimination. Federal Law and Florida… Read More »
Supreme Court Reinforces the Ability of Employers to Mandate Arbitration
On June 23rd, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of employers in the case of Coinbase Inc. v. Bielski. In a 5 to 4 decision, the court’s conservative majority issued a decision to make it less challenging for businesses and organizations to compel arbitration. In this article, you will… Read More »
Florida Teachers Seek Judicial Block of State’s New Union Law
Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a major legislative reform package into law that dramatically alters the landscape for many of Florida’s public sector unions. The new law officially took effect on July 1st, 2023. According to a report from Orlando Weekly, the Florida Education Association—the state’s largest teacher’s union—is making a… Read More »
NLRB General Counsel: Non-Compete Agreements Likely Violate NLRA
Non-compete agreements are contracts (or provisions of contracts) where an employee agrees not to directly compete against an employer for a period of time after the employment relationship ends. Florida law tends to favor the enforcement of non-compete agreements so long as they protect a “legitimate business interest” and are “reasonable in nature and… Read More »
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Florida Worker in Disability Discrimination Claim
On March 20th, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the agency scored a significant legal victory on behalf of a disabled worker in Florida. In the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, a judge determined that UPS violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) when it failed… Read More »
What Evidence Can Be Used To Prove Workplace Discrimination In Florida?
No person should have to endure discriminatory practices in the workplace. You should be able to rise based on your own skills, training, and effort, not based on stereotypes. Federal law (such as the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) and state law (such as the Florida Civil Rights Act) protect workers against… Read More »