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Congressional Democrats Fight for Workers’ Rights
October 31, 2018
On October 30, 2018, Congressmen Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) took a crucial step to combat employer’s use of arbitration agreements to restrict workers’ rights by introducing the Restore Justice for Workers Act (“Act”). The proposed legislation strives to open “the courthouse doors for workers by prohibiting the use of forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts and prohibiting employers from requiring employees to waive their right to engage in joint, [...]
Trump Department of Justice Reverses Position on Trans Rights
October 25, 2018
On October 25, 2018, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), arguing on behalf of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), contradicted the EEOC’s prior position regarding the rights of transgender employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In a brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court, the DOJ argued that federal law does not prohibit businesses from discriminating against employees on the basis of their gender identity. The brief echoes an [...]
New York State Increases Protections against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
October 09, 2018
On Tuesday, October 9, 2018, New York workers will be assured additional resources to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers in the Empire State will be required to establish a sexual harassment prevention policy in accordance with new standards promulgated by the New York State Department of Labor (“NYSDOL”), and to provide workers with a complaint form to report incidents of sexual harassment. Further, employers will be required to provide all employees with sexual [...]
Closing Time for California Employers Who Short Workers’ Wages at the End of Shifts
July 26, 2018
On July 26, 2018, the California Supreme Court ruled that Starbucks cannot rely on the de minimis doctrine to combat its ex-employee’s claims for unpaid wages when closing the coffee shop at the end of the day. The ruling is a significant win for hourly workers as it ensures that Golden State employers cannot duck liability when failing to pay workers’ wages for only a few minutes of work per shift. Specifically, in Troester v. Starbucks, California’s highest State court held that [...]
LGBTQ Rights Not Adversely Impacted by Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision
June 04, 2018
On June 4, 2018, the United States Supreme Court delivered its much-anticipated decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd., et al. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, et al. In an extremely narrow ruling, the Supreme Court held that Masterpiece Cakeshop did not have to pay penalties for refusing to prepare a wedding cake for a same sex couple. It is crucial to note that the Supreme Court did not rule on the question of whether the bakery, or any private business, may deny services to same-sex [...]
