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Federal board rules that employee advocacy for non-employees is protected. American workers have long had the legal right to collectively advocate for themselves on labor law matters, such as better pay and working conditions. However, there have often been disputes on just how far that right to concerted action extends. In a win for employees,...

The past several years have seen numerous legal and practical changes in the area of workplace harassment. The federal agency that investigates harassment claims is now proposing new guidance to clarify employees' rights and employers' responsibilities. Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced new proposed guidelines for employers regarding illegal workplace harassment. The...

A proposed Department of Labor (DOL) rule could dramatically impact the number of workers who currently qualify as exempt employees, if it goes into effect as planned. The federal agency announced on August 30 a proposed rulemaking that would raise the salary threshold to qualify for the "white-collar exemption" from $684 to $1,059 weekly, or...

Every year, employers in Ohio and across the United States steal billions of dollars from their employees. If employees were to steal that much from their employers, they would be facing lengthy prison sentences. But when employers illegally short-change their employees, they often face little accountability. That's the reality of wage theft in America. According...

Know your rights under the federal wage and hour laws. Home health workers have a difficult job. They work long hours, perform physically demanding duties, are constantly on the road, and usually receive low pay and benefits. Unfortunately, home health agencies are also notorious for skirting state and federal wage and hour laws, taking money...

If your employer is violating wage and hour laws, we can help. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), unless you qualify as an exempt employee, you should be paid overtime (time and a half) for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a single workweek. The law sets specific rules and requirements...

You must be paid for all hours worked. Is your employer following federal and Ohio law with regard to breaks? While the federal and Ohio wage laws do not require Ohio employers to offer breaks, they do set standards that must be followed if an employer does offer breaks. If your employer is violating the...

Make sure you know your legal rights and options at work. Under both federal and Ohio law, employees are entitled to a work environment free from illegal discrimination. That includes discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (if over 40), disability, or genetic information. It also includes protection from retaliation...

Many restaurants save on labor costs by paying their tipped employees half of the minimum wage. This is called the “tip credit.” Tipped employees typically include servers and bartenders but could include other jobs too, if the employee customarily receives tips. Employers are permitted to take advantage of this budget-saving partial exemption to the minimum...

New laws popping up around the country highlight employers' responsibilities As wage and hour attorneys serving employees in Ohio and throughout the Midwest, we closely monitor the development of new laws that affect employees' rights. One trend that we're watching is the rise of salary transparency laws and bans on asking about salary history in...