LegalBriefs

Farm Rule Put to Pasture

Alan Thayer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:39:32 +0000

Pressure by American Farmers caused the Administration to abandon new child farm labor rules late yesterday. LegalBriefs brought these rules to your attention on Wednesday. After previously announcing the rules would be reworked, the U.S. Department of Labor said it would not pursue the regulations again for the duration of the Obama administration.

What are the lessons for employers in other industries?

Employee Drug Tests Unconstitutional

Alan Thayer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:10:33 +0000

Today, a federal judge ruled a Florida state drug testing program unconstitutional. What does this mean for you? Fortunately, very little.

No NLRB Poster . . . For Now

Alan Thayer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:08:08 +0000

LegalBriefs told you how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted a rule requiring non-union employers to notify non-union employees of their right to join a union. Last week, our skepticism was shared by a federal appeals court.

Sex Change Protected . . . Farm Work Rejected

Alan Thayer — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:07:35 +0000

In the last two days, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that sex changes are now covered under the discrimination protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Meanwhile, it was reported this morning that the US Department of Labor (DOL), is finalizing a rule that would prevent children under 18 years of age from working on farms, even their parents’ farm.

2012 Employment Poster Guide

Alan Thayer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:06:40 +0000

Oregon employers must display required state and federal employment posters in their workplace. For 2012, there are three revised state posters and one revised federal poster. There is also a new federal poster that you may or may not be required to post on April 30, 2012.

This is our 10th annual employer guide to required posters. You can use this guide to easily determine if you are displaying the required posters. We assembled all of these notices in one place so you can easily download what you need. This free guide is available at the link below.

New NLRB Poster Rule

Alan Thayer — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:47:40 +0000

Future issues of LegalBriefs will address how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has gone from a purported arbiter of union elections and union issues to an outright advocate for the union agenda. Today, we are discussing the NLRB’s new employment poster notifying your employees of their right to form a union. The poster and when you will be required to display the poster are discussed below.

Combat Computer Mischief

Alan Thayer — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:31:49 +0000

If an employee uses your computer to (1) download sensitive data to compete with you, (2) access personal information on your customers, owners or employees, (3) destroy your valuable data or (4) disrupt your workplace as part of a union campaign, what can you do?

Recent federal cases decided this year now make clear that you can use the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), 18 U.S.C. 1030(g), to sue and file criminal charges against employees that steal or destroy your electronic data. This was not always the case. You must first, however, notify employees of restrictions on access to your computer data.

No News is Great News!

Alan Thayer — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:23:16 +0000

When the Oregon legislature meets and there are no reports of major new requirements for Oregon employers, that is good news. And when measures that do pass have only a minimal impact on or actually help employers, that is great news.

LegalBriefs Have Changed

Alan Thayer — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:27:00 +0000

A long time LegalBriefs subscriber (and even longer time friend) suggested html emails look more professional. So we are giving it a try. Please give us your opinion by posting a comment.

Employer Success Story

Alan Thayer — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:06:45 +0000

It is softball season for my fourth grade daughter. Last year, at many of the games, one of the dads and I talked about problems he was having with an employee. Although we discussed a number of things he could do, there was a reluctance to take action.

At the first game this year, the issue of this one employee came up again. But guess what? The employee is still there, with much improved conduct, performance, attendance and attitude. What did they do?