Month: October 2011

Bill Proposes FMLA Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims; Also Extends FMLA Leave to Domestic Partners

Employers would be required to approve leave for domestic violence victims and their families under a bill proposed earlier this month by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif. H.R. 3151, the Domestic Violence Leave Act, would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act to guarantee unpaid leave to workers needing medical attention or legal assistance following domestic […]

New ‘Concealed Carry’ Gun Law in Effect in Wisconsin

by Jessica E. Ozalp Axley Brynelson, LLP On November 1, most provisions of Wisconsin’s new “concealed carry” gun statute will go into effect. The law, which Governor Scott Walker signed in early July, establishes a licensing process that allows Wisconsinites age 21 and older to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon anywhere except […]

5 Ways You Attract the Attention of Plaintiffs’ Attorneys

It’s not that hard to avoid the actions that tempt me and my fellow plaintiffs’ attorneys, says Whitney Warner, SPHR. In today’s Advisor, she shares five things that employers do that “make her day.” Warner, who has shared some of her secrets with our readers before [Go here for other secrets], details five things that […]

Transit Benefit Drops by Nearly Half for 2012, While Parking Tax Break Rises

Administering qualified transportation fringe benefits (QTFBs) will be more complicated in 2012. Congress has allowed the parity between mass transit and parking thresholds — which gave transit and vanpool users the same tax advantage as drivers — to expire. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, the excludible amount for those who purchase bus, rail and other mass […]

NLRB’s New Poster a ‘Big Deal’ for Nonunion Employers (Video)

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) effort to require a new poster explaining employee rights is creating much concern — not to mention legal action — but a key point employers should understand is the rule’s impact on nonunion employers, according to employment law attorney Al Vreeland, who led a session at the October Advanced […]

Local Governments Stepping Up Employment Laws (Video)

When considering employment law compliance, employers must look not only to federal and state laws but, increasingly, they need to look to city and county laws, according to attorney Kara Shea, who led a session at the October Advanced Employment Issues Symposium (AEIS) in Nashville, Tennessee. Shea, a member at Miller & Martin PLLC in […]

HHS Indicates CLASS Act Not ‘Viable’

The Obama administration’s health care reform legislation suffered an apparent casualty last week when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicated it wouldn’t pursue implementation of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program (also known as the CLASS Act). In a letter to the U.S. Congress about the CLASS Act, […]

Emotional Distress Claims: a Future Trend in Oklahoma?

By Charles S. Plumb On November 1, changes to the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act will go into effect that substantially restrict the ability of former employees to sue their employers for wrongful discharge in personal injury claims. But a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision may encourage employees’ lawyers to pursue intentional infliction of emotional distress claims […]