A U.S. District Judge declared a mistrial last Thursday in a retaliation case against a state agency after the jury announced it was unable to agree on a verdict. A verdict must be unanimous. In this case, the eight… Read More ›
macon discrimination lawyer
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 ›
Some Employers Stop Posting Job Ads In War Against Automated “Application Avalanches,” Encouraging Applicants To Use More Personal Touch
Two years ago, in May 2012, I wrote a column titled “The Permanent Job Search.” I wrote that job-hunting has changed, from something you only do when you’re unemployed to something you need to do now, in a… Read More ›
Whistleblower Is Entitled To Trial On Claim of Retaliation for Complaining of Workplace Hazards, Federal Judge Rules Today
A Florida federal judge ruled this afternoon that my client, who objected to what he believed were dangerous conditions on the job and then saw his scheduled work hours slashed to zero, is entitled to present his case to a… 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 ›
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down $55,000 Fine Against Employee Who Sued Boss For Allegedly Soliciting Sex From The Employee’s Wife
I’m pleased to report that we succeeded in persuading a federal appeals court this week to overturn a $55,000.00 fine imposed on a Florida public school employee for filing suit against the school system. The employee had alleged he was… Read More ›
Bad References: Can Former Employers Legally Bad-Mouth You?
I get many questions about bad job references. Can my former employer badmouth me? Can my old boss talk bad about me? Aren’t employers limited to disclosing my dates of employment, salary and job title? Employees want to stop former… 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 ›