03-23-2023

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals decided that paid time off is not part of an employee's salary under federal wage law. The circuit court reasoned that salary is fixed compensation paid out at regular intervals, while paid time off is a fringe benefit that has no effect on a worker’s wages and may be paid irregularly.

03-22-2023

In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) imposed $1.5 million in civil penalties on Packers Sanitation Services for illegally employing children ages 13 to 17. These kids worked jobs requiring them to clean razor-sharp saws using caustic chemicals in overnight shifts.

03-21-2023

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced via memo that the company intends to lay off another 10,000 employees. Meta also laid off 11,000 employees in late 2022. In addition, he states their data shows engineers still early in their careers perform better when they work in person with teammates at least three days a week.

03-16-2023

In February 2023, President Biden issued an executive order launching a new annual process to strengthen racial equity and support for underserved communities through Equity Action plans. Other states and organizations have taken action as well.

03-15-2023

Twelve former football players sued the University of Iowa based on claims of racial discrimination and mistreatment by the head coach, Kirk Ferentz. In 2020, many former Iowa players publicly shared personal stories of mistreatment as members of Ferentz's program. Husch Blackwell investigated the program and found “the program’s rules perpetuated racial or cultural biases and diminished the value of cultural diversity.”

03-14-2023

In a tweet regarding an employee's status, Elon Musk said, "The reality is that this guy (who is independently wealthy) did no actual work, claimed as his excuse that he had a disability that prevented him from typing, yet was simultaneously tweeting up a storm." The employee has muscular dystrophy that limits his ability to use his hands.

03-09-2023

CNBC reports office attendance in Europe and the Middle East is at 70% to 90% and around 80% to 110% in some Asian cities. In the U.S., that number remains at about 40% to 60% of pre-pandemic levels. CNBC asserts there are three major differences to account for the disparity in the U.S.

03-08-2023

Several Democrat lawmakers in Connecticut have introduced legislation to remove "Latinx" from state documents. These lawmakers are members of the Black and Puerto Rican caucus. They believe the term is "offensive and unnecessary."

03-07-2023

In October 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new labor code provision into law regarding the use of arbitration agreements in employment. A federal district court soon granted a preliminary injunction, placing a hold on the law. California appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Initially, the Ninth Circuit held the Federal Arbitration Act did not completely preempt AB 51 and lifted the temporary injunction. However, the Ninth Circuit reviewed its decision and reinstated the preliminary injunction.