Be on the Lookout for Minimum Wage Increases in 2017
12/20/16
By: Brad Adler and Agne Krutules
As we enter into 2017, employers should remember that, while the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, many state and local jurisdictions have passed legislation that will increase their respective minimum wage in 2017.…
New I-9 Form Takes Effect Next Year
12/1/16
By: Agne Krutules
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The revision process commenced over a year ago, with the main goal to strengthen the security and integrity of the I-9 …
ADA Website Compliance: More Than Just a Good Idea
11/16/16
By: Paul H. Derrick
Since its passage in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has become nearly ubiquitous, perhaps best known for its applicability to workplaces, wheelchair access, and service animals. Surprisingly few people, however, are aware that the …
States File Lawsuit to Block New Department of Labor Overtime Rules
9/22/16
By: Timothy Holdsworth
On September 20, twenty-one (21) states filed a challenge to the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) increases to the minimum salary included in the final rules amending the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (“FLSA”) White Collar Exemptions, released in …
When is Housework Not Housework? Differences in Interpreting Georgia and Federal Minimum Wage Laws
12/17/15
By: Michael Hill
When it comes to interpreting statutes, the devil is in the details. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled recently that employees for third-party providers of in-home personal care services were not prohibited from receiving Georgia’s minimum wage even …
Georgia's Garnishment Statute is Seized by a Federal Court
9/15/15
By: Brad Adler and Michael Hill
What happens when you obtain a money judgment against someone and they refuse to pay? Unfortunately, it is not that uncommon an occurrence. The good news for a long time has been that, if …
Georgia And California Increase Scrutiny Of Employee Loyalty And No-Rehire Provisions As Restraints Of Trade
9/2/15
By: Mike Wolak
Restrictive covenants typically involve the “big three”: agreements not to compete, not to solicit the Company’s customers, and not to raid the Company’s staff upon separation from employment. As a result, the language of the “big three” …
Blow to Public Employers: Georgia Supreme Court Expands State Whistleblower Law
11/26/13
By: Amanda Cash
Previously, Georgia’s whistleblower statute prohibited retaliation against public employees who complained or made disclosures about “fraud, waste, or abuse” in government operations or programs. Based on this limited definition, public employers were able to defend against such …
Georgia Court of Appeals Decides Rare Case on Electronic Discovery
6/27/13
By: Bart Gary
On June 18, 2013, the Georgia Court of Appeals decided a case involving electronic discovery. In a business dispute, and in response to about 100 unique requests for production of documents from the plaintiff, defendants scanned all …
New Limitations to Application of Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act
5/23/13
By: Joyce Mocek
Recently, a Fulton County Superior Court judge, in an unpublished order in the case of Cone v. Marietta Recycling Corporation, limited the application of the Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act, and provided guidance on whether a company …
"Show Me Your Papers" Upheld by Arizona Federal Judge, Echoing Georgia Ruling
9/7/12
By: Kelly Morrison
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Arizona authorities can enforce the most contentious section of the state’s immigration law, which critics have dubbed the “show me your papers” provision.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton …
Georgia Court Raises Standard for Whistleblower Actions
7/30/12
By: Kelly Morrison
The Georgia Court of Appeals, in Fulton County v. Colon, recently issued a ruling on whistleblower lawsuits, which may significantly narrow the scope of actions that can be brought against governmental entities by disgruntled employees.
The …