Category Archives: Employment Law
Living in the Post-#MeToo Era: The Importance of Workplace Sexual Harassment Training
The Harvard Business Review (HBR) recently published the results of a 2018 survey of 263 women regarding their experiences with sexual harassment in the workplace. This was actually a follow-up to a 2016 HBR survey, which was completed before the “#MeToo movement took on wide momentum,” according to the authors. The 2018 survey therefore… Read More »
“When Do You Plan on Having Another Baby?”: Sarasota Employer’s Pregnancy Discrimination Leads to $70,000 Settlement
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said it received approximately 3,000 complaints related to pregnancy discrimination in 2018 alone. Although federal and state law is clear on this subject, many employers continue to think it is acceptable for them to refuse to hire or promote a female employee because they are pregnant–or may… Read More »
Florida Amends Restrictive Covenant Law to Bans Certain Physician Non-Compete Agreements
Florida law allows in certain circumstances non-compete agreements between employers and employees, provided they are “reasonable in time, area, and line of business,” and the employer can show it has a “legitimate business interest” in any such restrictions. Earlier this year, the Florida legislature amended the law to prohibit a particular type of non-compete… Read More »
Is Complying with the FMLA Enough? What Florida Employers Need to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act and Unpaid Leave for Employees
When crafting employee leave policies, it is important that employers understand their obligations for leave under the law. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per 12-month period. Yet even beyond provisions of the FMLA, employers also should consider adopting flexible leave policies… Read More »
It’s Summer and Florida Employers Are Hiring High School Students, But Do They Understand Child Labor Laws?
Many high school students are eager to earn some extra money working a summer job. And there are plenty of Florida employers who will gladly hire relatively low-wage, younger workers to meet their seasonal needs. But just because the kids are not in school, that does not mean they can be treated the same… Read More »
Disloyalty or Retaliation? Federal Appeals Court to Reconsider Whether Employer Can Fire Manager for Allegedly Encouraging Discrimination Lawsuits Against the Company
Federal law not only prohibits discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics, such as race or sex. It also forbids employers from engaging in acts of “retaliation” in response to allegations of discrimination. In other words, you cannot fire or demote an employee just because they filed a discrimination complaint against you with… Read More »
Florida Governor DeSantis Signs Bill for Unemployment Benefits for Victims of Domestic Violence
Florida law provides for unemployment compensation–known as “reemployment assistance”–for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Typically, employees who voluntarily leave their position are not qualified to receive these benefits. However, there are some exceptions, such as a person who quits their job to relocate with a spouse in the… Read More »
Sexual Harassment Is No Laughing Matter: Florida Employer Faces Federal Lawsuit for “Abusive Contact and Retaliation”
Sexual harassment is a form of illegal sex discrimination under both federal and Florida state law. The laws further prevent an employer from being passive when an employee makes a complaint regarding possible harassment. Under both federal and state laws, employers must have appropriate policies and procedures in place to process, investigate, and handle… Read More »
If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say… Considerations for Employers Discussing Reasons for Employee’s Separation
Requests for references from former employers is a common occurrence in today’s workplace. But as a Florida employer, the reference you may give can get you in hot water. So, before you pick up the phone to provide your next reference or to talk to other coworkers about the reasons for an employee’s departure,… Read More »
A Whole Year of Paternity/Maternity Leave: How Companies are Leading the Curve and How Your Company Can Do It
The United States may be known around the world for providing progressive rights to its citizens, but there is one area where the U.S. unquestionably falls behind others: family leave. For instance, the U.S. is the only developed nation that does not require employers to offer paid leave for new parents. According to a… Read More »
