The Sophisticated Employer Blog

Michigan appellate court upholds legislative changes that would have granted expanded paid medical leave, raised the state's minimum wage and eliminated tip credit wages. 

New federal law will soon allow employees to sidestep forced arbitration agreements implemented by employers.

U.S. Supreme Court rules in National Federation of Independent Business v. OSHA and Biden v. Missouri regarding federal employer and Medicare/Medicaid provider employee vaccination requirements.

Federal appellate court allows COVID-19 vaccine mandate to proceed for large employers, CMS providers.

With appeals to federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates heating up, CMS employers would do well to prepare vaccination policies in anticipation of possible regulatory enforcement actions.

Employers should carefully consider which employees should be bound by non-compete agreements or at least consider selectively enforcing them only against departing employees who can adversely impact the business.

Biden administration announces new COVID-19 vaccination requirements for large employers, providers of Medicare and Medicaid health care services. 

Michigan to allow return to in-person work starting May 24 as state reaches COVID-19 vaccination threshold.

Michigan incentivizes residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine with double-benefit of defeating virus and fully reopening state’s economy sooner.

Michigan extends work from home order for six month amid increases of COVID-19 cases, rise in variants.

New Michigan executive orders outline return to work rules with enforceable workplace standards during pandemic.

The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

In a rare published case by the Michigan Court of Appeals, it upheld a worker’s disability compensation claim for employee who was being paid mileage to start his work day at a different location.

Federal appellate court rules Ohio employer violates FMLA with convoluted no-fault attendance policy for employees.

New Supreme Court ruling again emphasizes that filing EEOC charge is not a jurisdictional prerequisite to bringing a Title VII claim in federal court.

Unfortunately, for this public school employer, it’s “good deed” does not go unpunished, as evidenced by an employee’s civil rights claims brought in federal court.

Department of Labor takes another stab at issuing proposed new rules to address the salary threshold for “white collar” exemptions.

If your company doesn't require employees to agree to a shortened limitations period to bring claims, you need to do that today!

Appellate court rejects request for special panel to review 1990s precedent under Michigan’s Wages and Fringe Benefits Act.

A poorly drafted release agreement preserved an employee’s statutory claims.

Trump administration filed appeal of Texas district court’s decision in effort to preserve DOL’s right to set salary threshold for exempt employees.

After nine years of class action litigation and appeals, employer’s time shaving policy will cost millions in legal fees, plus an adverse jury verdict.

Employers are almost out of time to comply with the new Fair Labor Standards Act regulations set to take effect on Dec. 1.

Employers must adhere to new DOL requirements for electronic reporting, encouraging more employee involvement in incident reporting and appropriate use of post-injury drug testing.

Check out the EEOC's new quick-read pamphlet for employers that provides helpful information and links to important Internet content.

Human resources must consider diversity within job classifications to help deter potential sex discrimination liability.

Presidential executive order requires federal contractors entering into contracts after Jan. 1, 2017 to provide their employees with sick days.

Employer learns lesson the hard way… firing an employee because of his “tone of voice” can be direct evidence of retaliation!

Effective March 27, Department of Labor’s final rule grants same-sex couples access to FMLA leave time.

Presidential executive order bans discrimination against LGBT workers.

EEOC’s new enforcement guidance clarifies the EEOC’s position on a number of issues involving pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions.

Recent EEOC settlement emphasizes need for employers to modify their inflexible leave policies to comply with the ADA

Court rejects public policy arguments of terminated employee attempting to thwart robbery attempt at work.

Today's Internet connected world has taken telecommuting mainstream; so much so that it may be a "reasonable accommodation" under the ADA.