A great many companies in the United States rely on the use of mandatory arbitration to resolve employment disputes. By including an arbitration clause in the contracts of employees, companies can address employment disputes in a cost-controlled and private manner,...
Employment and Labor Law
Apple settles lawsuit over unpaid time for security checks
We have previously written on this blog about the risks employers take when they require workers to do anything while “off the clock.” Americans are protective of their time, and most hourly workers are not willing to show up early and stay late, unpaid, just to...
Employers face disability accommodation questions about COVID-19
When COVID-19 arrived in the United States, it took everyone by surprise. Our national and individual responses to the virus have had to change over time as we’ve learned more about its long-term impacts to individual health and economic stability. Employers are still...
Could your company’s employee discipline policies be a liability?
If your business has employees, you will inevitably need to discipline some of them for performance or conduct issues. Before this happens, it is important for your company to have clear disciplinary policies in place and to ensure that everyone in leadership...
Do businesses need to pay workers for illness screenings?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many companies to continue normal operations, particularly when they need employees to be working together in one location. While things have become easier with the availability of vaccines, not every employee can or...
The pitfalls of responding to an employee discrimination claim
In any dispute between a worker and his or her employer, fault is rarely ever one-sided or clear-cut. But when an official complaint is filed with agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a narrative is put in writing that can be hard for employers...
Is your business protected against age discrimination claims?
Age discrimination is not a hot-button issue when compared to discrimination based on gender or race. But it does go through cycles of public discussion, particularly during periods of economic recession when it is difficult for nearly anyone to find work. If you’re...
Changes in Alaska’s employment market
A low unemployment rate may be good for the economy, but it can make hiring new employees a challenge. While there were certain challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of those are reversing now that much of the state is going back to business as (somewhat) usual....