The FLSA's Overtime Provisions
<b><i>Construing Them Broadly, But the Exemptions Narrowly</i></b><p>FLSA cases holding against employers typically invoke a canon of construction that the FLSA should be construed broadly, and any of its exemptions narrowly. But this canon has a dubious foundation and tends to be applied inconsistently to justify a result.
The New Patent Venue Regime
Venue in patent cases lies "in the judicial district where the defendant resides, or where the defendant has committed acts of infringement and has a regular and established place of business." Since 1990, the Federal Circuit interpreted the term "resides" coextensively with the general venue statute such that patent venue lay where the defendant was subject to personal jurisdiction. But this year, the Supreme Court greatly narrowed that definition in <i>TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods</i>. The Federal Circuit, in turn, interpreted the newly-relevant alternative phrase. After two decades of relaxed patent venue rules, these decisions work a seismic shift in patent litigation.
NY's Paid Family Leave Program
<b><i>Part Two of a Two-Part Article</i></b><p>Last month, the authors discussed the fact that New York State will have its own "Paid Family Leave Benefits Law," effective Jan 1, 2018. They noted the differences from the FMLA, and discussed insurance considerations. The discussion concludes herein.
Overtime Rule Uncertainty
Companies have open questions about the fate of the Obama-era overtime regulations, despite a Texas federal court ruling nixing rules that would have doubled the salary threshold for workers eligible for time and half pay, and extended greater pay to millions of more workers.
Opt-Out Incentives: The Ins and Outs
As annual open enrollment season approaches, many employers may be evaluating ways in which to control rising health plan costs. One strategy frequently considered is a financial incentive for employees to waive or opt out of the employer-sponsored group health coverage. But this raises potential problems under the Affordable Care Actas well as a number of other federal laws.
Securing Your Information-Rich Employee Benefit Plans
Hackers have turned to a new information-rich source: employee benefit plans. This article examines the threat facing benefit plans, explores the applicable legal landscape, and recommends steps to better equip plans to prepare for and manage data breaches.
The Equal Pay Act
With the trend among cities and states moving toward closing the gender wage equality gap, the question remains: What was the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit thinking this April when it decided <I>Rizo v. Yovino?</I>
No Harassment, But Retaliation Claim Survives
Just as the adage is that "the coverup is worse than the crime," we know that in employment law, "the retaliation claim is more dangerous than the underlying discrimination." The latest example of this is in the recent decision of <I>Austin v. Bloomin' Brands, Inc.</I>.
NY's Paid Family Leave Program
<b><I>Part One of a Two-Part Article</I></b><p>Effective Jan. 1, 2018, New York State will have its own "Paid Family Leave Benefits Law." Since the payroll deductions supporting the Law began July 1, 2017, it is not too early to begin reviewing your employer obligations.
