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Latest fast-food protests buoyed by NLRB, Obama stance

More fast-food protests are planned for September 4, with the latest round including homecare workers and possible civil disobedience. Fast-food and other low-wage workers have been staging periodic strikes and demonstrations since 2012 in hopes of increasing their hourly wage. In addition to expanding the type of workers represented, planners of the new protests have […]

Case signals lower threshold for mental distress when cause allegation fails

By Thora Sigurdson The British Columbia Supreme Court recently awarded damages for mental distress in the context of a termination for cause. The decision in George v. Cowichan Tribes signals that it may be easier to establish such a claim when there is a just cause allegation that fails, compared with terminations without cause. It […]

Amazon Editors’ Best Business Books of 2010

The editors at Amazon have picked their favorite business and investing books for 2010. Here are the top 10. 1. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. The sequel to #1 best-selling Liar’s Poker examines the issue of who understood the risk inherent in the assumption of ever-rising real estate prices, a […]

New York law on unemployment taxes takes effect January 1

by Colin Leonard and James Rooney A new law going into effect on January 1, 2014, will increase New York employers’ contributions to the state’s unemployment compensation program. Earlier this year, legislation was enacted in response to the insolvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and the state’s need to repay $3.5 billion borrowed from […]

Proposed FLSA overtime regs go to OMB for review

by Susan Prince The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime regulations to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The new regulations will increase the number of employees nationwide who qualify for overtime. Employers, get ready because the changes will likely have […]

“The Supremes” Take Heat over Sex Discrimination Pay-Bias Case

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady The Supreme Court says that if you haven’t filed a claim of sex discrimination in pay within 180 days of when it first happened, don’t bother. Some call this good news for employers. Others have cried foul. Here’s what our founder thinks. America’s Supreme Court justices are taking […]

RIFs: Preparing for the Unkindest Cut

As the economy stagnates, many employers who were hoping to avoid layoffs must now finally consider them. Today’s expert, attorney Michael Rosen, sorts out the key issues. Rosen, a labor and employment partner with the law firm Foley Hoag LLP in Boston, says that any reduction in force (RIF) must be carefully planned and executed […]