Labor & Employment

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New York Joins the Non-Compete Ban Wagon

Following through on Governor Hokhul’s promise in her 2022 State of the State address, New York lawmakers passed a blanket ban on all non-compete agreements, thus joining the growing federal and state efforts to curb their use.   However, the bill imposes greater restrictions than those implemented in other jurisdictions, including…

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NLRB Decision: New Standard for Independent Contractors

On June 13, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) reverted to its prior employee friendly independent contractor test to find that makeup artists, wig artists, and hairstylists (“the stylists”) working for the Atlanta Opera were employees rather than independent contractors.  This revived independent contractor test will significantly…

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DOL Issues Clarification on Calculating FMLA Leave During a Week with a Holiday

On May 30, 2023, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued an opinion letter clarifying how to calculate leave taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) during a week containing a holiday. It is important for employers to properly calculate employee FMLA leave time because a miscalculation could be…

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Another Nail in the Coffin For Non-Competes? NLRB General Counsel Issues Memo Claiming That Most Non-Competes Violate The NLRA

On May 30, 2023 Jennifer Abruzzo, General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board , sent a memorandum to all Regional Directors expressing her view that except in limited circumstances, non-compete provisions in employment and severance agreements constitute unfair labor practices under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act…

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EEOC Issues Guidance Highlighting the Risks to Employers Using AI In Employment Selection Procedures

BACKGROUND Title VII prohibits employers from using neutral selection procedures that disproportionately exclude individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin unless the employer can show the procedures are “job related for the position in question and consistent with business necessity.”   In 1978, the U.S. Equal…

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Terminated Employee Who Tested Positive for Marijuana After a Workplace Driving Accident Can Pursue His Wrongful Termination Claim

A recent decision from the New Jersey District Court illustrates the extraordinary job protections for recreational marijuana users under the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“CREAMMA”). THE LEGAL BACKDROP The job protection provisions of CREAMMA prohibit employers from disciplining employees “solely due to the presence…

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New Jersey Court Ruling: Private Social Media Posts Are Subject To Discovery

On March 16, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division concluded in Davis v. Disability Rights of New Jersey that a plaintiff-employee’s privacy interests in her social medial posts and personal cell phone bills did not restrict her employer’s right to the production of these records when defending against claims that…

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The United States Supreme Court Rules Highly Paid Employees May Still Be Eligible For Overtime

On February 22, 2023, the United States Supreme Court in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. v. Hewitt  held that a highly compensated executive employee paid a guaranteed daily rate is not paid on a ‘salary basis’ and therefore, is a nonexempt employee entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor…

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New Jersey Passes Landmark Legislation Expanding Temporary Workers’ Rights

On February 6, 2023, Governor Murphy signed new legislation into law significantly expanding the rights of temporary workers. The law, known as the “Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights” (A1474/S511), is aimed at advancing pay equity, increasing government oversight of temporary staffing agencies, and prohibiting retaliatory conduct against temporary workers. A1475/S511…

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New Jersey Implements WARN Act Amendments Mandating Severance for Mass Layoffs and Business Closures

On January 10, 2023, Governor Murphy signed legislation implementing amendments to the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act (“NJ WARN Act”) that were placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amendments, which go into effect on April 10, 2023, impose new requirements on employers of 100 or…