Blog
Supreme Court Confirms Pension and Benefit Plans Maintained by Church Affiliates May Be Exempt from ERISA
June 16, 2017
In an 8-0 decision last week, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the exemption under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) for church-sponsored employee benefit plans extends to plans maintained by entities that are affiliated with a church (“church-affiliated entities”), even if the plan was not established by a church.
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“Dog Talk”: My What Big Teeth Your Service Dog Has!
June 15, 2017
The Bullard Edge is debuting Dog Talk, a new recurring feature in which we address questions related to service animals. In this issue we cover (1) pets versus service dogs and (2) pit bulls as service dogs.
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Conflict Resolution Policies Help Employers Remain Union Free
June 13, 2017
No workplace is free of conflict and employee disagreement. Disputes arise in all workplaces and can be related to just about every imaginable issue, including dissatisfaction with break times, seemingly unjust disciplinary actions, lunches stolen from the lunch room refrigerator, and co-worker hygiene issues.
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Alert! Nevada Legislature Passes New Employment Law For Pregnant Workers
June 13, 2017
At the end of the recently concluded session, the Nevada Legislature passed and the Governor signed the Nevada Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act that applies to employers of 15 or more employees. The Act expands an employer's obligations to accommodate pregnant female employees and applicants as well as those who are suffering from a condition related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical or mental condition.
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June 2017 Updates in Labor and Employment Law
June 13, 2017
Yesterday, June 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor, now headed up by President Donald Trump appointee Alexander Acosta, published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to rescind the so-called “persuader rule”.
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California Supreme Court Clarifies Day Of Rest Requirements
June 13, 2017
The California Supreme Court recently clarified the state’s “day of rest” statutes, which should help California employers schedule their employees’ hours of work to avoid class and representative lawsuits. Employers should accordingly assess whether employees are being afforded days of rest in a fully compliant manner.
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Update: What’s Happening to 2016 Rules and Regulations with the New Administration?
June 12, 2017
As the new administration is reaching its six month anniversary, we thought it would be helpful to update you on a number of the new rules and requirements that employers were preparing for going into 2017.
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U.S. Supreme Court Finds that Retirement Plans Sponsored by Religious Hospitals Are Exempt from ERISA
June 8, 2017
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that retirement plans sponsored by church-affiliated organizations, such as hospitals, are exempt from ERISA.
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DOL Withdraws Guidance Documents on Joint Employment and Independent Contractor Status
June 7, 2017
The Trump administration continues to roll back the anti-business positions asserted by various federal agencies under the Obama administration, as most recently evidenced by the Department of Labor’s June 7, 2017 withdrawal of two Administrator Interpretations on joint employment and independent contractor status.
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Ready, Set, Go…Write or Update Those Job Descriptions Now!
June 6, 2017
In August 2016, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a new law strengthening pay equity in the Commonwealth. Under the new law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2018, pay differences between persons performing “comparable work” will be acceptable only if based upon one of the following factors: (1) a seniority system; (2) a merit system; (3) a per unit or sales compensation scheme; (4) geographic location of the job; (5) education, training and experience; or (6) the amount of travel required.
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Take Your Dog to Work Day!
June 1, 2017
Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWDay) was created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) “to celebrate the great companions dog make and promote their adoptions.” It takes place annually on the Friday after Father’s Day; this year it will be celebrated on June 23.
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Termination Because Of Medical Marijuana Cardholder Status Is Unlawful
May 31, 2017
Implications for employers everywhere. We believe the court’s decision will be overturned on appeal. Nevertheless, there are a number of aspects of it that are relevant for employers in any state with legalized marijuana.
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