NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO SIGNS BILL TO PROTECT UNPAID INTERNS
On July 22, 2014, Governor Cuomo signed into law a new bill that would afford anti-discrimination protection to unpaid interns with respect to hiring, discharge and other terms and conditions of employment. This law further protects unpaid interns from
U.S. SUPREME COURT RULES THAT WHISTLEBLOWERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE PROTECTED FROM RETALIATION FOR COURT TESTIMONY
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that public employees are protected from retaliation when they testify in court against their superiors regarding misconduct at the workplace. The court unanimously decided that that the First Amendment protects those who tell
UNPAID INTERNS IN NEW YORK CITY NOW PROTECTED AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Recently, the New York City Council unanimously voted to pass an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law, which will protect unpaid interns from sexual harassment and discrimination. This amendment was prompted by a 2013 decision, which
FAMOUS MIDTOWN DELI SET TO PAY $2.65 MILLION TO SETTLE FLSA LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY STAFF
Carnegie Deli has made an agreement in principle to pay approximately 25 current and former waiters, waitresses, bus boys and cooks a total sum of $2.65 million, with an average pay-out of $106,000 per employee. The workers claim that their
NAIL SALON WORKERS FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST ENVY NAILS FOR FAILURE TO PAY MINIMUM WAGE AND SPYING
Manicurists have filed a class action complaint again Anna Do, owner of Envy Salon, in a Manhattan Federal Court. Do is the owner of more than 50 nail salons in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Plaintiffs allege that Do
DOMINO’S PIZZA FINED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IMPROPER PAY PRACTICES
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced a $448,000 settlement with six Domino’s pizza franchisees operating in New York. The business owners paid workers less than the $5.65 per hour tipped minimum wage and failed to pay adequate overtime,
ARE BACKGROUND CHECKS RACIAL BARRIERS IN THE HIRING PROCESS?
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) agree that background checks could have a “disparate impact” on black job applicants. The doctrine of disparate impact is applied in the employment context and occurs when an
PRESIDENT OBAMA ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING EXPANSION OF OVERTIME PAY
On March 13, 2014, President Obama issued an executive order requesting that the U.S. Labor Department issue regulations that mandate overtime pay to employees who otherwise would be exempt under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The administration hopes
NYC SETTLES LAWSUIT AGAINST FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR $98 MILLION DOLLARS
Last week, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a settlement to pay $98 million in back pay, including $6 million in medical benefits, to those who have filed claims against the New York City Fire Department on grounds
MCDONALD’S BECOMES THE SUBJECT OF WAGE AND HOUR LAWSUITS IN NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA AND MICHIGAN
Last week, several McDonald’s employees filed lawsuits in New York, California and Michigan alleging that McDonald’s and its franchise owners have unlawfully underpaid them by not paying overtime, manipulating time-cards and ordering them to work “off the clock.” Specifically, the