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Employers Should Not Neglect Paid Military Leave Compliance

Bradford Kelley discusses the importance of employers reviewing their leave of absence policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Law360 

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California Expands Paid Sick Leave Uses for Crime Victims and Agricultural Employees, and Changes Unpaid Leave Standards for Victims

  • Paid sick leave will be available when a family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other crimes.
  • Paid sick leave will be available for “preventive care” of agricultural employees who work outdoors when there is a smoke, heat, or flooding emergency.
  • Unpaid leave protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other crimes have been revised.




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Historic ruling on compensation for gender discrimination

Ole Kristian Olsby and Nina Elisabeth Thjømøe explain Norway’s new Anti-discrimination Tribunal.

International Law Office (ILO)

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Supreme Court's ruling on workplace sexual harassment provides clarification

Ole Kristian Olsby and Nina Elisabeth Thjømøe clarify how to actively prevent sexual harassment and unwanted attention in the workplace through a recent Supreme Court ruling.

International Law Office (ILO)

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AdvisorHub Culture Study Part 5: What Makes an “A” Culture Firm

Cindy-Ann Thomas shares her experience of training companies on improving their diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  

AdvisorHub

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Moving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs Forward - Part 2: A DE&I Training Session - Fostering a Diverse, Inclusive and Respectful Culture




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Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling is a Reminder to Think Twice Before Taking Deductions from Wages

An employer pays its managers an annual salary and in addition provides monthly advances based on an estimate of the incentive bonus the employee appears likely to have earned by the end of the year. However, if the employee's performance declines over time so that the earned bonus ends up being less than the amounts advanced over the course of the year, it seems obvious that the employer should be able to deduct the overpayments from future paychecks.




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Mandatory Shareholder Approval of Executive Compensation: SEC Releases Final Rules on "Say on Pay"

The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank") mandates, for publicly traded companies, shareholder advisory votes on compensation packages provided to top executives and on "golden parachute" packages payable in connection with corporate transactions.




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SEC Issues Proposed Rules Regarding Incentive-Based Compensation Arrangements for Certain Financial Institutions

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released proposed rules on March 2, 2011, in connection with provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that prohibit "covered financial institutions" from providing incentive-based compensation that encourages inappropriate risks, by providing either excessive compensation or incentives that could lead to material financial loss to the institution.




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The Coming Regulatory Avalanche: Engineering Practical Employment and Labor Law Compliance Solutions

The focus of this 2011 Littler Report is to provide employers with information to prepare and plan for regulations recently passed and those currently making their way through the agency rulemaking process. Part One of this Littler Report will set the stage and define the challenge employers will face in the coming years as the Obama Administration enters the second half of its term.




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IRS Proposed Regulations Clarify Certain Equity Compensation Rules Under IRC Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") generally limits the deductibility of compensation paid by a publicly traded corporation to its top executive officers (the "covered employees") to $1 million annually (the "Million Dollar Cap"). However, this limit will not apply to certain amounts that qualify as "performance-based compensation." Compensation attributable to stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and restricted stock grants may qualify as performance-based compensation if they meet certain requirements.




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Texas Supreme Court Rules for Exxon: A New Day for Noncompete-Triggered Forfeitures in Texas?

On August 29, 2014, the Texas Supreme Court in Exxon Mobil Corp. v.




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2015 Hot Topics for Multinational Companies

As we enter the New Year, Littler's international practice has identified a number of key employment and labor law issues for multinational companies (MNCs).  The past year has brought to the fore some challenging issues likely to grow in importance in 2015, among them the increasing strength of global unions as well as the ever-growing importance of corporate compliance.  While some of these topics are certainly familiar—data privacy and whistleblower protection, for example—the continuing importance and expansion of these issues highlight their increased complexity and correspondingly in




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IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Under Code Section 457 Affecting Deferred Compensation Plans of Tax-Exempt Organizations

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued proposed regulations under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that prescribe rules regarding deferred compensation plans sponsored by state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations.  These regulations relate primarily to the taxes imposed (under Code Section 457(f)) on the organization at the time the individual’s right to compensation vests, without regard to actual time of payment. 




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Why Employers Shouldn't Forget About Executive Compensation




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UK Right to Work Changes Employers Should Be Aware of

The Home Office has updated its guide on right to work (work authorization) checks for employers in the UK.

Changes coming into effect this month include a less flexible approach to late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for Europeans and their families and a hike in penalties for illegal working.

Right to work changes for EEA citizens




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Rules for UK Visit Visas and Permitted Paid Activities Have Changed – Here's How

In the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement, Jeremy Hunt promised that “the government will expand the business Visitor rules to allow businesspeople to engage in a wider range of permitted activities and paid engagements, to take effect from January 2024. The government will also explore further reforms to the business visitor rules during 2024.”

The first of these changes took effect from January 31, 2024. They were not a major reform of the business and other permitted activities that can be carried out on a visit visa, but there are some important changes.




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Belgium: New Rules Apply in the Brussels Capital Region Regarding International Mobility

The rules on the employment of third-country nationals (which apply regionally) were recently amended in the Brussels Capital Region by an ordinance issued on February 1, 2024, and its implementing decree on May 16, 2024. The following is a summary of these new rules.




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Predistribution, Labor Standards, and Ideological Drift: Why Some Conservatives Are Embracing Labor Unions (and Why They Shouldn't)

Alexander T. MacDonald says predistributional labor policies do none of the things they’re supposed to do and, in fact, amplify the problems they’re supposed to solve.

The Federalist Society

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New Calif. Laws Employers Should Have On Their Radar

Joy Rosenquist talks about some of the 30 new California laws she thinks are particularly significant for employers, including rules addressing pay transparency and off-duty cannabis use.

Law360 Employment Authority

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Regulatory Roundup – Key Developments in UK Financial Services

In this article, we share a round-up of the key developments from a regulatory perspective for HR Professionals in UK financial services firms. This covers expected changes to the SMCR regime, regulatory remuneration requirements and whistleblowing framework. We also look at the increasing focus of the regulator on culture and conduct within financial services firms in the wake of recent sexual harassment allegations within a UK asset manager. 

SMCR




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SEC Continues to Attack Non-Disclosure Agreements and Personnel Policy Provisions that Could Impede Employees from Reporting Potential Violations of U.S. Securities Law

  • Recent SEC cease-and-desist Orders indicate how publicly traded and other SEC-regulated employers should be on alert to the agency’s ongoing attention to enforcement actions under Rule 21F-17.
  • The SEC has been examining whether non-disclosure agreements and other confidential business information provisions could impede whistleblowers from communicating with the SEC.




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Dear Littler: How should we handle anonymous complaints?

Dear Littler,




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Littler Lightbulb: February Appellate Roundup

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court




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Keys to Successful and Lawful Diversity Programs




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How should a company intelligently adopt employment-focused artificial intelligence, or AI tools?




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Employers Have Until July 25, 2023 to Implement New OFCCP Disability Self-Identification Form

On April 25, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget approved the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) updated form prospective and current employees must use to voluntarily self-identify as an individual with a disability.  The form is applicable to federal contractors and subcontractors subject to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires contractors to invite applicants to self-identify as disabled at the pre-offer stage, and to invi




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Affirmative Action Ruling Could Spawn 'Years Of Litigation'

Alyesha Dotson and David Goldstein said the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina offers an opportunity for employers to review their DEI programs and possibly establish more robust ones to help offset any effects of the ruling.

Law360

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The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling Will Have Other Impacts

Alyesha Dotson says the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action may result in a less-diverse talent pool for employers in the coming decades. 

Forbes

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The Supreme Court overruled affirmative action. What’s next?

David Christlieb talks about the Supreme Court striking down affirmative action, as well as its decision in siding with an employee who refused to work.

WGN Radio

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Supreme Court’s 2024 Term Could Transform Labor and Employment Law

  • The Supreme Court issued four decisions narrowing agencies’ power to make policy through formal rulemaking and adjudication.
  • In the short term, these decisions could make it harder for agencies to defend major rules on overtime, joint employment, prevailing wages, pregnancy accommodation and noncompete agreements.




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SEC In-House Judges Ruling Will Ripple to Other Federal Agencies

Michael Lotito says the Supreme Court’s decision to curb the SEC’s in-house courts may result in challenges for state labor agencies that use a similarly modeled in-house enforcement and appeals process.

Bloomberg Law

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Pollution Curbs, Non-Compete Bans Put at Risk by Chevron Ruling

Alexander MacDonald says most of the rules, regulations, decisions and doctrines employment lawyers deal with each day are first developed by agencies.

Bloomberg

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Justices' Chevron Ruling Threatens DOL Wage Rulemaking

Michael Lotito says the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to nix Chevron deference sends a message to federal agencies that the days of administrative overreach are over.

Law360 Employment Authority

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Littler Lightbulb: June Appellate Roundup

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court




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11th Circuit Finds Race and Gender-Based Grant Program Likely Unlawful

On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting a venture capital fund from awarding grants based on race and gender. In reversal of the district court, the majority found the grant contest “substantially likely to violate” 42 USC Section 1981, a federal statute enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibiting private parties from racial discrimination in contracts.




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Regulatory Compliance in a Post-Chevron World: Fasten Your Seatbelts

Alex MacDonald says the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron will likely impact regulatory bodies and the employers they oversee.

Corporate Compliance Insights

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Supreme Court's 2024 term could transform labor and employment law

Alexander T. MacDonald and Michael J. Lotito review four decisions in the U.S. Supreme Court's recently completed term and discuss how the rulings may affect employment law.

Westlaw Today

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What's Next After NLRB Ruling On Overbroad Noncompetes

Kathryn Siegel, Rachel Satinsky and Dru Selden assess the current landscape of restrictive covenants and the trend of federal agencies and states toward limiting noncompete provisions.

Law360

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Littler Lightbulb: July Appellate Roundup

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments in federal courts of appeal in the last month.




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A Regression to Politics? Recent Court Decisions Could Give Partisanship Even More Influence at the NLRB

Alex MacDonald discusses recent court decisions that criticized the way the NLRB operates and that could transform American labor law.

Washington Legal Foundation

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Third Circuit Holds Multiemployer Pension Fund Claim Cannot Be Enforced due to Unreasonable Delay in Providing Notice of Withdrawal Liability Assessment

In July, the Third Circuit upheld a District of New Jersey decision to throw out a withdrawal liability assessment, finding the multiemployer pension fund was barred from pursuing its claim because the fund unreasonably delayed notification of a withdrawal liability assessment for 12 years.

Withdrawal Liability Assessments Under ERISA




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Fifth Circuit Vacates DOL’s 80/20/30 Rule for Tipped Employees

On August 23, 2024, in Restaurant Law Center v. U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the U.S. Department of Labor’s so-called “80/20/30 Rule” that governed how tipped employees must be paid under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Fifth Circuit found the Rule was inconsistent with the text of the FLSA, and was arbitrary and capricious. 




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Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction on FTC Noncompete Final Rule

Melissa McDonagh said employers should continue to be thoughtful with their approach to noncompete agreements, ensuring compliance with existing state laws and monitoring the status of the FTC noncompete rule as it winds its way through the appellate process.

WorldatWork

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Senior living industry celebrates decision overruling FTC’s noncompete ban

Melissa McDonagh said employers should continue to be thoughtful with their approach to noncompete agreements, ensuring compliance with existing state laws and monitoring the status of the FTC noncompete rule as it winds its way through the appellate process.

McKnights Senior Living

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Legal Battles Cloud Tipped Wage Limits After Fifth Cir. Ruling

David Jordan discusses the framework of the 80/20 tip-credit rule and its current impact on employers after the Fifth Circuit’s recent decision leaves a version of the rule up for questioning.

Bloomberg Law

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Littler Lightbulb: August Appellate Roundup

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments in federal courts of appeal in the last month.

Fifth Circuit Vacates DOL Tip Credit Rule




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OSHA rules in crosshairs after court ruling

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Loper decision, Jamie Spataro says existing regulations and standards that went through extensive rulemaking are ripe for being challenged.

Business Insurance

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What employers need to know now that the 80/20 tip credit rule has been overturned

Dan Boatright discusses the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision to strike down the 80/20 labor rule and what that decision means for employers. 

Nation’s Restaurant News

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Questions surround proposed FAMLI rules as program preps for January launch

David Gartenberg said he is worried about the fact that the rule leaves the FAMLI benefits out of alignment with unpaid Family and Medical Leave benefits allowed under federal law. 

The Sum & Substance

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