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Please Click HerePosted on September 5, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A recent decision from the National Labor Relations Board (August 25, 2014) held that an employee using the “Like” feature on a Facebook page to show support for comments by another employee about the conduct of the company payroll system constituted protected speech under the National Labor Relations Act. The Board held that the termination […]
Posted on September 3, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Some companies have adopted an English-only policy which requires that employees use English as the only language allowed in the workplace. This type of policy is often adopted for safety reasons to ensure that everyone understands what is being said in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, the adoption of an English-only policy can create liability for […]
Posted on September 2, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Just how threatening and intimidating can a superior or co-employee act toward a subordinate or co-employee without incurring the risk of a civil lawsuit for damages under Wisconsin law? The federal district court in Madison faced that interesting question in a preliminary motion hearing. As a result, the lawsuit against the sheriff of Burnett County […]
Posted on August 28, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
It appears the lazy days of summer have gone away. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed two lawsuits showing its aggressive stance to “cleanup” its view of discrimination matters. One lawsuit involved discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act for being terminated when deciding not to participate in a wellness program. The other […]
Posted on August 27, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On numerous occasions, we have received a phone call from a client that goes something like this: “An employee has reported to human resources that their (family member/friend/acquaintance) has been engaging in harassing behavior that the employee is concerned may continue into the workplace. What can we do to protect the employees (or students), our […]
Posted on August 25, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
I recently attended an employment law seminar sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin. One of the presenters was the Officer in Charge of Sub region 30 of the National Labor Relations Board. In a very candid and open discussion, the Officer in Charge made it very clear that the activism of the National Labor […]
Posted on August 20, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
I have always been concerned that attention deficit disorder would become a commonplace claim of a disability by employees, especially employees who are subject to disciplinary action. A recent decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals gives employers some hope that attention deficit disorder (ADHD) will not automatically be considered a disability. In this […]
Posted on August 12, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Another decision from the National Labor Relations Board has created the same worry for employers. An NLRB judge recently ruled that several portions of a company employee handbook restricted the rights of workers to organize and discuss their conditions of employment and found there was a violation of the Section 7 rights of the employees. […]
Posted on August 11, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A recent decision from the National Labor Relations Board has again highlighted the lengths to which the NLRB will go to seek out protection of employee rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. This Section allows employees to communicate regarding union organizing activities and exchange information amongst employees regarding possible union organizing […]
Posted on August 1, 2014 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Under Worker’s Compensation, an injured employee receives benefits on a “no-fault” basis and the employer receives immunity from civil suit for damages. When a third party’s negligence causes or contributes to the employee’s injury, however, the third party is fair game to be sued by the injured employee and/or the employer’s worker’s compensation carrier (or […]