Union activity is on the rise and many labor experts believe the organizing efforts at companies such as Amazon and Starbucks are just a step in a growing nationwide movement. Combine the events of the past couple of years with
Latest from Larkin Hoffman Employment & Labor Law Blog
Employers Beware! NLRB General Counsel Seeks to Restrict Employer Free Speech
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) made two announcements recently that should be of concern to all employers with employees not represented by a union. The first announcement was made by the NLRB General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, who announced that
Unlimited PTO Policies: Avoid the Risks
In light of current labor shortages, employers are paying higher wages and contemplating different benefits and working conditions that employees are now demanding. One such benefit is an unlimited paid time off (PTO) policy. An unlimited PTO policy allows employees
Project Labor Agreements are Now Required for Large Federal Construction Projects
Last week, I wrote a blog post predicting that President Biden may be requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, effective November 15, 2021 (link here). That prediction has now
Project Labor Agreements and Government Funded Infrastructure Projects: What You Need to Know Now
As many construction contractors are aware, the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, effective on November 15, 2021, includes significant monies for transportation, roads, bridges, rail, and other infrastructure construction. President Biden has encouraged public governmental agencies to use project
The Roller Coaster Continues: OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Vaccine Standard for Large Employers
Most of our readers are aware that on November 9, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring covered employers (employers with 100 or more employees) to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The ETS allows employers to
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing Issued by Federal OSHA
Update 11/8/21 – On Saturday, a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana issued a stay of enforcement of the OSHA rule mandating vaccines for employees of large businesses. The ruling blocks the OSHA
Undue Hardship for Religious and Medical Exemptions From a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Many employers are adopting a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy, or they are required by owners, contractors, developers, or state, local or federal government to adopt such a policy for employees working on particular projects. The recognized exceptions to mandatory vaccination
The NLRB Gets Tougher on Penalties for Unfair Labor Practices
Several months ago, we settled an unfair labor practice charge filed by an employee against our client alleging retaliation for the employee’s protected concerted activity. The employee had enlisted the support of other employees in challenging certain pay practices, and
The National Labor Relations Board and College Athletes in a New World
In 2015 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) declined to exercise jurisdiction over a petition filed by a union seeking to represent Northwestern University’s scholarship football players. The NLRB was unwilling to make an affirmative decision as to whether the