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Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Wage and Hour Laws Explained Wage theft is a large and growing problem in the United States Employees are entitled to minimum wages and overtime pay in most circumstances. But independent contractors and exempt employees may receive fees, royalties, salaries or other pay that does not have an overtime component. Many […]

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Knowing Your Rights and Legal Options Sometimes the environment at work is not quite right. It can seem unwelcoming, unfair, or even hostile. When the environment is hostile, discriminatory, or imbued with unfair treatment for employees who assert their rights to equality or freedom of speech, it can be illegal.

Hostile work environments in the workplace: Why a major automaker is being sued A major automaker is being sued for racial discrimination in the workplace. The United States alleges “repeated and overt displays of racism.†What does the case mean for workers in 2023? An employer’s duty to respond to racist symbols or messages A

Hostile College Campuses: What Does the Law Do to Protect Students in 2023? Recently, college students from Cornell and Yale have spoken out about hostile environments on college campuses? Federal Civil Rights Laws Title VI of the Civil Rights Act deals with cases of national-origin or religious discrimination.  In one case, the Equal Employment Opportunity

Transgender Discrimination in 2023 Under the Updated Rules, at Work and on Campus The Problem of Transgender Discrimination According to GLAAD, a large national poll of transgender people found that the trans community is disproportionately faced with unemployment, poverty, and discrimination. In a 2015 research report, more than one in eight transgender men alleged that

Wage Violations: New Developments for Health Care Workers and Gig Workers like Uber and Lyft Drivers in 2023 Wages are falling behind the rising cost of everything.  Rents doubling, gas doubling, food up 50%, health care up 50%, tuition up 50% in private schools; costs are up everywhere. Health care workers and gig economy workers

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: What Do the New 2023 Rules Say? The Biden administration has announced new rules to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.  Two important examples are rules governing health care and education jobs. New Health Care Rules The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a role to play in

Racial Discrimination in the Workplace: What Are Some Examples in 2023? Federal and state law restricts employment discrimination and attempts to bring it to an end.  Depending on which law is being applied, this can include discrimination against an employee based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender

Employment Discrimination Based on Race or Background in Health Care: 2023 Update Imagine a nurse going to work for the first time at a hospital in your community.  After thousands of hours of education and clinical rotations with real patients in training, it is time to join the healing professions and fight illness on the

Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace: What Are “Light Duty†Rights in 2023? Some employers offer light duty roles to employees who have been injured, are undergoing treatment for a disease, or suffer from post-traumatic stress or other mental conditions. Pregnant women may be able to request light duty assignments.  The Pregnancy Discrimination Act at the