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Harvey Weinstein, originally known for being a cofounder of Miramax, has infamously become synonymous with sexual misconduct. Over the course of at least 20 years, he sexually assaulted and harassed multiple women, successfully concealing his actions by using nondisclosure agreements. It wasn’t until one brave woman spoke up that an end was put to his […]
Employers have seen an enormous number of changes recently to various rules about how they manage their employee base. This includes a notice of proposed rulemaking by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in late 2023, sweeping memoranda from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and final rules from the NLRB on joint employment. All of this is […]
A recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling determined that including certain nondisparagement and confidentiality provisions in severance agreements violates the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Facts McLaren Macomb Hospital permanently furloughed 11 employees and contemporaneously presented them each with a “Severance Agreement, Waiver and Release.” The agreement contained provisions that broadly prohibited them from […]
Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued an important decision in which it ruled that employers that offer severance agreements to employees with broad nondisparagement or confidentiality provisions violate Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). What do employers need to know about this recent development in labor law? Background Section 7 of the […]
HR professionals routinely use legal counsel to obtain advice on compliance issues, risk mitigation, and many other legal issues. Whether it arises in the context of a one-off accommodation question or a months-long harassment investigation, the attorney-client privilege is a vital tool for protecting confidential communications between legal counsel and HR professionals. The attorney-client privilege […]
We’ve all heard about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when it comes to expectant mothers or for recovery from serious physical health conditions, such as heart attacks or surgeries. The application of FMLA protection for mental health conditions is more nuanced, however. Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. According to the World Health […]
An investigator’s request for confidentiality in a discrimination or harassment probe is valid and doesn’t violate an employee’s right to free speech or the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the Appellate Division recently ruled. In the February 28 decision, the court rejected a former employee’s attempt to invalidate a state Civil Service Commission (CSC) […]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released updated guidance for both employers and employees addressing common questions related to COVID-19 and the federal employment laws. The update pulled together information from other agency resources, modified two existing questions and answers, and added 18 new ones. Read on to learn the key takeaways for employers […]
It was a winning season for businesses, with employers garnering some big victories at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to round out 2019. In October, the Board released a decision enhancing employee privacy during union drives, which would have been a strange way to end the year for what is considered a pretty employer-friendly […]
One of the primary concerns addressed through the #MeToo movement is that claims of sexual harassment in the workplace are often settled discreetly and without scrutiny. For years, employers have resolved sexual harassment claims with a settlement payout in exchange for a general release of the company from all liability. The terms of the settlement […]