Taking another step forward in the #MeToo movement, Congress recently passed a new law—the Speak Out Act—banning employers nationwide from using blanket non-disclosure or non-disparagement agreements or policies against employees who come forward with allegations of sexual harassment or assault.  However, the law does not ban employers from entering into standard confidentiality agreements with current […]

The last few years have not been kind to employers.  Government‑initiated closures at the onset of the pandemic.  The Great Resignation.  A recession that, if it has not yet been felt by all employers, soon will be.  One could forgive businesses for feeling like they are being bullied on the economic playground.  To punch back […]

Maternal and paternal leave have been common topics of conversation, and sometimes debate, in the U.S. for years. Yet, little discussion occurs around how to welcome new parents back after leave. Mothers, especially nursing mothers, face unique challenges in their return to the workplace. It is important that employers understand nursing mothers’ rights under federal […]

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.  Thirty years after Dr. John Gray published his famous relationship book, the planets have aligned to largely take the phrase out of orbit—for a number of reasons.  Among other explanations, society has overhauled how it thinks and talks about sex and gender—and the associated roles.  Add in […]

It’s midterm season. Signs of the upcoming election are everywhere. Commercials on tv and radio. Signs at every intersection. Text messages. So many text messages. HOW DID THEY GET MY NUMBER?!? Sorry . . . we’ll save that for another time. Back on topic: it’s news to no one that November 8 is the day […]

With big recent wins at Amazon, Starbucks, Chipotle, Trader Joe’s, and a favorable economic and political climate, right now the wind is in the sails of the labor movement. Those winds are likely to grow stronger as the current leadership of the National Labor Relations Board identifies opportunities to revisit and recast decisions in order […]

The Equal Pay Act requires men and women in the same workplace to be given equal pay for equal work. But what exactly does “equal pay” mean under the Equal Pay Act? Let’s consider a recent case that was prominently featured in the news.  As you may have heard, 28 members of the United States […]

Here’s 3 reasons I think it is (and always will be!) I know, I know. We’re two-and-a-half years in and we’re all soooo over COVID-19. And, if the increase in traffic during the morning commute and lack of prime parking spaces close to the office are any indication, it certainly seems like employees have returned […]

Every year, as the calendar turns from August to September and mornings and evenings get a little cooler, I start to look forward to all things fall. For “normal-person me,” this means getting excited for back to school, the return of college football (GO GREEN!), and giving myself permission to bake some of my favorite […]

Not all employers choose to enter into employment agreements with their employees. However, there can be certain benefits of entering into such agreements. Agreements can provide clarity by setting out the terms of employment and the mutual obligations between the employee and the employer. They can also provide protection for your business after an employee […]