It is illegal for employers to fire (or lay off) employees just because the employees are about to “vest” – to become legally-entitled to the employer’s retirement benefits. An employee usually “vests” by staying employed for a specific period. Some employers try… Read More ›
georgia employment law attorney
Employees Cheated of Wages & Overtime Have Powerful Rights
I hear almost daily from employees whose employers don’t pay them properly, and in most cases it’s a custom and practice of the employer, not a one-time thing. Employees lose lots of income this way. They’ll have you do… Read More ›
State Agency Settles Racial-Slur Case
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has settled a retaliation lawsuit filed by a former employee, Kelly Simmons, who was fired after she objected to the use of racial slurs by a coworker. Her report of the use… Read More ›
2014 LGBT Anti-Discrimination Law Update: 190 U.S. Cities and Counties Now Have Them. (19,810 Still Don’t.)
For all the progress our country has made in making the workplace safe for everyone, LGBT discrimination remains a severe and pervasive problem. Protection against harassment based on sexual orientation is almost nonexistent in the United States. Of approximately 20,000… Read More ›
Blowing The Golden Whistle: Becoming A Qui Tam Whistleblower
I am often asked by clients how they can qualify as a qui-tam (“key-TAMM”) whistleblower. Easy. Be the first to report an organization or person for cheating the government. Rewards can be huge. People who qualify as qui tam whistleblowers… Read More ›
Employers Engaging In “IRS Form 1099” Scams Deserve To Be Punished
Some employers cut labor costs by falsely treating employees as independent contractors, issuing them an IRS Form 1099 instead of a W-2. The effect? The boss saves big on taxes and insurance. But the employee pays more in taxes, won’t… Read More ›
New Year, New Career: 22 Points To Ponder Before Leaving Your Job
This time of year I am often asked about the things a departing employee should think about, or do, just before leaving their current employer. I’ve listed some of the key things that come to mind without having a specific… Read More ›
Gov’t Agency: Employers Cannot Routinely Prevent Employees From Talking To Each Other During Internal Investigations
A government agency ruled on July 30, 2012 that employers cannot routinely forbid their employees from talking to each other during an investigation. This kind of prohibition, common in most workplaces, may interfere with employees’ rights to cooperate and coordinate… Read More ›
Harvard Business Journal Offers Tip On Combatting Age Discrimination: Dye Your Hair
A March 2012 article in the Harvard Business Review blog offers hair dye as a legitimate tool for combatting age discrimination. Huh? Is the war on age discrimination over? Did we lose? Or, is this just smart, practical advice in a world… Read More ›
What If The Information From HR Is Wrong?
I recently questioned the Director Of Human Resources of a large corporation, as part of my effort to prepare a case for trial. The case involves both disability issues (under the Americans With Disabilities Act) and leave issues (under… Read More ›