Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Employment Law: Supreme Court Blocks OSHA Vaccine Mandate
In 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) put a workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place for many large employers. In effect, the federal regulation required all employers with 100 or more workers to 1) require COVID-19 vaccination by January 6th, 2022, or 2) Put a program in place to test unvaccinated workers… Read More »
What Rights Do Independent Contractors Have In Florida?
Employers in Florida and throughout the United States are increasingly relying on the workplace contributions of independent contractors. The Pew Research Center finds that approximately ten percent of people nationwide currently work or recently worked as an independent contractor. You may be wondering: Do independent contractors have rights in Florida? The answer is ‘yes’—but,… Read More »
Florida Employer Pays $50,000 To Resolve Religious Discrimination Claim
On January 27th, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Tampa Bay Delivery Service, LLC—an Amazon-associated delivery contractor serving the Greater Tampa region—has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit. Below, you will find a more detailed explanation of the discrimination settlement reached by the EEOC and the Florida… Read More »
DOL Recovers Nearly $50,000 In Back Wages On Behalf Of Florida Restaurant Workers
On February 4th, 2022, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) confirmed that $47,088 has been recovered in back wages for approximately 30 restaurant workers. The DOL determined that Mezcal Mexican Grill—a restaurant based in Miramar Beach, Florida—failed to pay bartenders and servers their proper overtime wages. Notably, a staffing company was also deemed… Read More »
DOL Recovers Back Wages On Behalf Of Employees After Florida Restaurant Improperly Retained Tips
On February 10th, 2022, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the successful recovery of nearly $30,00 in unpaid wages for a group of restaurant workers in northeastern Florida. The restaurant allegedly denied employees a portion of their tips. Below, you will find an overview of the DOL’s enforcement action and the regulations regarding retained… Read More »
Your Guide To The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
Age discrimination in the workplace can take a wide range of different forms. One of the most underappreciated forms of age discrimination is the intentional targeting of older, more senior employees in layoffs and staff reductions. A federal law called the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) helps to provide important legal protections in… Read More »
DOL Releases Final Rule For Tipped Workers—Officially Withdraws 2020 Regulation
On October 28th, 2021, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final rule regarding the amount of time that tipped workers can spend in non-tipped activities. By doing so, the DOL officially withdrew a tipped worker final rule that was issued in the waning days of the Trump Administration. The new regulations… Read More »
DOL Secures More Than $46,000 In Back Pay For Florida Roofing Workers
On November 8th, 2021, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department or Labor (DOL) found that a North Florida roofing contractor must pay $46,302 in back pay to 29 employees who were improperly denied their full and fair wages for required pre-shift and post-shift work. Additionally, the employer was also cited for… Read More »
Florida Employer Will Pay $82,5000 To Resolve Sexual Harassment, Retaliation Lawsuit
On November 17th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has reached a settlement of a sexual harassment/workplace retaliation employment lawsuit with an Orlando-based company. The company will pay $82,500 to resolve a same-sex sexual harassment claim. Here, you will find an overview of the settlement reached by the EEOC and… Read More »
Sex Discrimination Claim Against University Of Miami Set To Go To Trial
On October 6th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a press release confirming that a federal judge has denied a motion for summary judgment filed by the University of Miami. In doing so, the judge is allowing an employee’s sex-based discrimination claim to proceed to trial. In this article, you will find… Read More »