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On August 3, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final version of its “Clean Power Plan,” which seeks to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants by fostering the creation of renewable energy. It is estimated that power plants account for nearly 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States which […]

Under the above headline, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that wage disputes against restaurants have proliferated in troubling and damaging numbers: “…The number of wage-violation lawsuits has been on the rise for more than a decade, driven by a successful worker-organization movement, increased attention by plaintiffs’ attorneys and complicated labor laws that leave some […]

Once your startup is ready to hire employees, it is important to do it right. A written employment contract is recommendable to establish and structure the legal relationship when it you start to hire employees. If artfully drawn, the contract helps to ensure that everyone is “on the same page” when it comes to the […]

What if you could catch all the sports you desired with a treasure trove of free food in tow? What if you could do this while making money? Setting up as a sports arena food vendor might sound great, but there is plenty of work to be done before you start selling hot dogs to […]

A new gender-neutral bathroom in the White House symbolizes the growing recognition of transgender rights. The new facility coincides with the implementation of an Executive Order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of gender identity. The Order also amends anti-discrimination laws for federal workers by adding gender identity to the list of […]

After many delays and prolonged anticipation, the Department of Labor (DOL) finally released hotly contested, proposed a new fiduciary rule, which would increase the number of plan service providers falling within the definition of “fiduciary.” If the new fiduciary rule is adopted, financial advisors will be subjected to significantly higher legal standards governing their retirement […]

This spring, monitoring wage and hour compliance should be on top of every employer’s to-do list. Much like cleaning out your garage or reorganizing your closets, it is not a fun job, but the end result is worth it. According to the latest statistics from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, lawsuits alleging violations […]

Employers frequently adopt an employee handbook that, despite attempts to provide aspects that distinguish the effort as being personal to that employer, follow well-worn scripts reflecting “conventional wisdom.” Such reliance on well-worn text is being undermined by the recent actions of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Office of the General Counsel which recently published […]

In the digital age, it makes sense to post job openings and allow prospective employees to complete a online job application. After all, most job searches are conducted on the Internet. However, many companies are learning that online job applications can lead to unforeseen liability, particularly when it comes to employee background checks. Dollar General […]

The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) recently released implementing regulations for the New Jersey Opportunity to Compete Act. As New Jersey employers should be aware, the state’s “ban the box” law took effect on March 1, 2015. Under the Opportunity to Compete Act, New Jersey employers are precluded from inquiring about job applicant’s criminal […]

All married couples in the United States will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued a final rule that amends the definition of spouse to include all same-sex couples. “With our action today, we extend that promise that no matter […]

From unwelcome sexual propositions to sexually suggestive gestures, sexual harassment claims account for a significant percentage of workplace discrimination claims brought under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). Following a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, these lawsuits will be a bit easier for employers to defend, specifically if they have anti-harassment […]