Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Our Monthly Report on Labor Law Issues, also known as the Employment Law Bulletin, is a monthly newsletter that covers a wide range of labor law issues, including affirmative action plans, strikes, OSHA regulations, minimum wage requirements, and more. Other topics covered have included issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as workplace walk-outs and strikes, vaccinations, and employee rights related to positive test results and quarantine. The newsletter also covers issues related to discrimination, such as artificial intelligence and racial bias, and issues related to unions, such as organizing efforts and union successes at companies like Amazon and Starbucks. The newsletter also covers issues related to taxes, immigration, and court cases related to labor law. Stay informed and avoid legal missteps, by subscribing to email updates here.

Businesses Providing Expressive or Artistic Services Not Required to Provide Such Services to Same-sex Customers

August 02, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Supreme Court Says Forcing Expressive Designs That Communicate Messages Violates the First Amendment In a case in which a website designer refused to make wedding websites for LGBTQ couples, the Supreme Court's 6-3 majority ruled that the First Amendment bars the government from forcing the designer to create expressive designs that communicate messages ...

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red char on green grass lawn outdoors in front of brick wall

Supreme Court Changes Standard for Religious Accommodations to Persons Refusing Sunday Work

August 02, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

In Groff v. DeJoy (No. 22-174, June 29, 2023), the Supreme Court addressed a Christian who rejected Sunday work with the Postal Service due to his faith. He received progressive discipline for failing to work on Sundays, and eventually resigned. He sued under Title VII, contending that the Postal Service could accommodate his Sunday Sabbath practices "w...

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Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Is in Effect, and Also Requires Reasonable Accommodation

August 02, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect on June 27, 2023. The expanded rights for pregnant individuals will be similar to those qualified individuals with disabilities under the ADA. Under the PWFA, such individuals only have to show that they require reasonable accommodation due to a physical or mental condition related to pregnancy/c...

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Court Says Employers May Sue for Damages Where Union Fails to Take Reasonable Precautions to Protect Employer's Property from Eminent Danger due to Strike

August 02, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 1, 2023, ruled that the Labor Act does not protect strikers who fail to take "reasonable precautions" to protect their employer's property from foreseeable, aggravated and imminent danger due to the sudden cessation of work. Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters Local 174, Case No. 21-1449. The union called the strike to st...

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Affirmative Action Ruling Could Impact Employers

August 02, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

The Supreme Court affirmative action ruling (Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. V. President and Fellows of Harvard College, No. 20-1119 (June 29, 2023)) is likely to have an impact on private industry affirmative action programs, even though the case itself involved the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and admission policies at univers...

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What Employers Need to Know about AI

July 11, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

This writer cannot recall a subject that has dominated the news in recent months like AI. Although this writer is not attuned to modern technology, he nevertheless believes that AI is for real and is going to be as important as computers and cell phones. But there is a lot to learn, and this article is hopefully a good overview.

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Labor Board Now Attacking Most Non-Compete Agreements

July 11, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

As this newsletter has often stated, almost every month the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo comes out with some controversial and unprecedented NLRB position. On May 30, 2023, she announced that the NLRB would consider most non-compete agreements to violate federal labor law, with only extremely narrow exceptions. ...

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What Happens When an Employee Engages in Abusive Conduct in the Course of Union or Concerted Activity?

June 01, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

For many years, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been dealing - and struggling - with the above issue. As an example, racial epithets have been hurled at non-strikers crossing the picket line, the term "whore" has been directed to persons signing up for overtime, and a company executive has been called a "f- idiot," and similar cases. These...

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Litigation over Civil Rights or Patriotic-Related Paraphernalia at Work Continues

June 01, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Cases continue to arise dealing with the wearing of social/political/patriotic shirts and decals at work. In a January ruling, Whole Foods won summary judgment supporting the enforcement of its neutral dress code against visible slogans, messages, logos or advertising when complainants were suspended for wearing Black Lives Matter masks to work. Frith v...

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Government Assistance Better than Work for Many

June 01, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Many wonder why at least 3 million fewer Americans are at work today than there were in 2019. Economic rationality is one reason. In some states today, unemployment benefits are the equivalent of a $100,000 job when direct payments and the value of other benefits are included. Families earning as much as $500,000 annually are eligible for ObamaCare sub...

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The COVID-19 Emergency Is Over — Now What?

June 01, 2023 | Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Now that the Biden administration has implemented its plan to officially end both the national emergency and public health emergency on May 11, private employers are contemplating what to do with existing COVID-19 policies and protocols. Employers who are not subject to a federal vaccine mandate or state or local laws restricting mandatory vaccination ca...

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