QDRO or Buyout?
January 31, 2015
These days, attorneys drafting QDROs must contend with a new type of retirement plan called a "cash balance pension plan" ' a hybrid that is not really the fish of a traditional defined benefit plan, or the fowl of a defined contribution plan.
Federal Contractors
December 31, 2014
With a recent string of Executive Orders signed by President Barack Obama and new rules published by the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding employment practices of federal government contractors and subcontractors, it may seem overwhelming to keep track of all the new requirements. This article identifies and summarizes these important developments over the course of the last year, and serves as a checklist for maintaining compliance.
Business As Usual Despite Republican Control of Congress?
December 31, 2014
The midterm elections returned the Republicans to control of the Senate after an eight-year hiatus. Not surprisingly, the Republicans were elected on platforms opposing President Obama's policies. The surprise may be that the Democratic agenda may continue to prevail.
Employers and Ebola
December 31, 2014
While relatively few U.S. or global businesses are directly affected by the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, or by the handful of cases in the U.S., organizations of all sizes are well-advised to do some contingency planning should the disease spread to other regions of the globe, including in the U.S.
The NLRB <i>McDonald's</i> Ruling and Franchisors
November 30, 2014
The NLRB general counsel's July 29, 2014, ruling that McDonald's is a joint employer of those who work for its roughly 14,000 franchised restaurants in the United States continues to send ripples through both the legal and business worlds.
With All Due Deference
November 30, 2014
In the courtroom, a business transaction, or on a ball field, a loss can also be a victory. Such is the case for employees in the matter of <I>Nielsen v. AECOM Technology</I>, decided by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2014.
CA Employers, Heads Up!
November 30, 2014
Beginning in 2015, California employers will be required by law to provide paid sick leave to employees. Because California is often a bellwether state for changes in others, this legislation is of national interest. Will your state be next?
Social Media Invades and Modernizes Employment Practices
November 30, 2014
Social media sites present a potential treasure trove of information on applicants, but mining this information for use in recruiting, hiring, firing and monitoring of employees is fraught with risk. This article explores practices to avoid and offers guidelines on how to use social media in ways that minimize exposure.
If You're Not on Facebook, You're Committing Malpractice
November 02, 2014
Imagine you're cross-examining a witness about a phone call, but you've never used a telephone before. Ridiculous, right? But is it any different than wading into a new client matter where social media communications are at issue without having ever used social media?
