Employment Law Watch, published by Reed Smith LLP, focuses on developments and issues in employment law affecting employers and employees. The blog covers topics such as noncompete agreements and their regulatory scrutiny, state-specific employment law changes including leave and break time regulations, labor relations including National Labor Relations Board policies, workplace privacy concerns like secret recordings, and compliance with local ordinances such as paid prenatal leave requirements. It addresses both federal and state legal updates, enforcement trends, and practical implications for workforce management and employer policies.
Since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, employers navigated the murky waters of drug testing applicants and employees who hold medical marijuana cards amid a lack of clarity in the law regarding these issues.
On September 24, 2024, a new…
The government’s plans for unfair dismissal to become a day-one right (subject to reasonable use of probationary periods) create an uncertain time for employers, particularly those currently taking on new hires or entering into fixed term contracts. While we await…
The most significant UK employment law reform for 30 years includes radical plans for unfair dismissal rights to be available from day one of employment. When this was announced before the election, the government indicated that this would not prevent…
In a challenge to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2019 overtime rule, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the DOL’s authority to use a salary threshold requirement to define the executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) exemptions…
With the 2024 election in full swing in the U.S., employers should anticipate political discussions and activity in the workplace. From employees taking time off from work to vote to expressing their political opinions during work, employers should remember a…
During vacation periods or times of high project workloads and tight deadlines, working overtime may be necessary to cover for absent colleagues or manage increased workload. These situations can lead to legal challenges, especially when disputes arise regarding overtime performance…
In July of this year, a Texas federal district court judge denied the state of Texas’ request to vacate the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) most recent guidance relating to gender identity discrimination. In doing so, the federal court held…
Earlier this month, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) updated its warning notice on the appropriate use of non-disclosure agreements (NDA), creating increased regulatory obligations for lawyers advising on, drafting and negotiating settlement agreements.
The updated warning notice reflects principles set…
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems rapidly spreads throughout society, legislators across the U.S. are hustling to try and ensure that these systems are created and implemented in a safe and fair manner everywhere they are being used.…
On August 20, 2024, Northern District of Texas Judge Ada Brown barred the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) rule banning non-competes from taking effect. The rule, which proposed to ban virtually all existing and future non-compete agreements across the U.S.,…
