Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Responding to Complaints of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Tips for Employers, Business Owners, and Managers
There is no doubt about it. Sexual harassment claims are on the rise. The EEOC reports that it receives more than 27,000 complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace each year. And with the recent allegations against many prominent figures in the media, these types of claims do not show signs of slowing down… Read More »
Responding to Employee Complaints in the Workplace: Best Practices for Business Owners, Employers, and Managers
Are you an employer who received a complaint from an employee concerning employment discrimination or sexual harassment? The first question any employer has in this circumstance is what to do. Have a System in Place to Receive Complaints What are best practices for employers, business owners, and managers who receive complaints from employees? First… Read More »
Can My Florida Employer Automatically Deduct My Lunch Breaks From My Paycheck?
Are you an hourly employee in Florida whose employer automatically deducts lunch breaks from your paycheck, regardless as to whether you take the break or how long your break may be? If so, is this legal? In short, an employer may deduct a lunch break from your paycheck, but within limitations. Your employer may… Read More »
What is a Charge of Discrimination?
If you have been the subject of employment discrimination or retaliation in Florida, you may be considering what steps you need to take to protect your rights under the law. Under Florida state law as well as federal law, there are important prerequisites an employee must take to preserve their abilities to bring a… Read More »
Are Criminal Background Checks for Florida Employees Legal?
When you apply for a job in Florida, is your future employer allowed to use the results of a criminal background check when making an employment decision? Or are they allowed to run a background check on you prior to offering you the position? What about running a background check on you while you… Read More »
Do I Have to Give Employees Working in Florida Meal Breaks or Rest Breaks Under Florida Law?
When it comes to meal breaks and rest breaks in Florida, are employers required to give these to employees? In other words, is an employee entitled to a meal break and/or a rest break anytime they are at work? What are the limitations with regard to an employee’s rights to breaks? And does an… Read More »
What Does It Mean to File a Charge of Discrimination and Who Can File One?
If you believe you have been discriminated or retaliated against at your Florida workplace due to your race, religion, national origin, gender, genetic information, disability, age, or sexual orientation, or even if you are an employer who is facing a discrimination charge, you are likely to have a lot of questions about how the… Read More »
Can My Employer Deduct Uniform Expenses from My Paycheck and Still Meet Minimum Wage Requirements?
If you work for minimum wage in Florida, which is currently $8.10 per hour (as of date of this blog), can your employer deduct the cost of a uniform or other required work apparel from your paycheck and still meet minimum wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? And if an employer… Read More »
What Does it Mean to Be a Whistleblower Under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act?
What does it mean to be a whistleblower in Florida against your private-employer? And more specifically, how is a whistleblower defined under the Florida Private Sector Whistle-Blower’s Act (Florida Statutes Section 448.102)? Florida has two separate statutes designed to protect whistleblowers—one designed to protect public employees, and a second designed to protect employees in… Read More »
What Happens During the EEOC and FCHR Investigation Process After I File a Charge of Discrimination against my Florida Employer?
So, you realized you may have an employment discrimination claim. If you’re at the point where you’ve gotten your ducks in a row and filed a Charge of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), you may then be wondering, what happens next? At first… Read More »