In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published a fact sheet regarding certain protections that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) affords workers who take covered leave. One of the keys is that the FMLA “provides job-protected leave from work.” That protection means not…
Articles Posted in Employment Law
A New Federal Court Ruling Has Blocked the Implementation of the Rule Raising Minimum Salary Floors for FLSA Exemptions
In April, this blog covered the publication of a new Final Rule from the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, or computer employee (EAP) and the highly compensated employees (HCE) exemptions to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new rule…
What the Law Says About Employees Returning to Work After Their 12 Weeks of FMLA Leave Has Expired
A worker experiencing health difficulties presents challenges for the employee… and her employer. Employers should proceed carefully, ensuring that any potentially adverse actions they take do not run afoul of federal law. A misstep in this regard could harm not just the worker but also the employer’s business if it…
The Price of Non-Compliance: An Automaker in Alabama to Pay $438K for Engaging in Illegal FMLA Retaliation
The Family and Medical Leave Act grants substantial rights to workers and has the potential to impose significant penalties on employers who fail to comply with the law, as an employer in neighboring Alabama found out recently. Given how costly a violation can be (either to you as an employer…
Exotic Dancers and Employment Classification: What a Series of FLSA Cases Can Teach, Even if Yours is Not an ‘Adult’ Business
One of the emerging areas in Fair Labor Standards Act litigation centers on the misclassification of exotic dancers. Several groups of dancers have successfully sued clubs for illegally misclassifying them as independent contractors instead of employees. While this industry may be relatively small, these misclassification cases hold significance for more…
FMLA Leave, Interference Claims, and When the Law Does (and Doesn’t) Require Employers to Give Workers Notice of Their FMLA Rights and Responsibilities
The Family and Medical Leave Act provides several rights and imposes several responsibilities on employees and employers alike. It is important to be keenly cognizant of these rights and responsibilities, as failure to do so can be extremely costly. If you have questions about your FMLA rights and/or responsibilities, don’t…
An FLSA Class Action, Collective Action, or Individual Action: Which One Makes the Most Sense for My Unpaid Overtime Claim?
If your employer has denied you overtime pay that you earned, you potentially have several possible legal options. You can seek compensation individually, you can initiate a class action, or you can pursue a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Determining which avenue makes the most sense can…
How Your Georgia Employer’s Excessive FMLA Documentation Demands Could Give Rise to a Claim of Interference
Employers may engage in a variety of improper actions when it comes to your requesting, using, or returning from leave to which you are entitled under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This misconduct can range from erecting onerous and unnecessary documentation requirements to counting your FMLA leave against for…
Getting Technical: How an Experienced Atlanta FLSA Attorney Can Help When Your Case Presents Procedural Issues
Sometimes, some people can lull themselves into a false sense of confidence when it comes to litigating their unpaid overtime, minimum wage, improper classification, or other Fair Labor Standards Act case. They may tell themselves they don’t need an experienced Atlanta employment lawyer. They might say to themselves “I worked…
What You Can Do If You’ve Lost Your Job in Georgia Because You Spoke Out Against Someone’s Else Acts of Sexual Harassment
No one should, as a worker, have to choose between their job and speaking out when they see discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace. Too many times, though, speaking out does lead to workplace punishment. When that happens to you, it is possible that your employer has engaged in…