The unemployment benefit changes we discussed earlier are one step closer to becoming a reality for unemployed Floridians. Last week, the Florida House passed a HB 7005 with a vote of 81-39 despite continuously high unemployment rates across the state. This bill, intended to give tax cuts to businesses, will be funded by cutting benefits […]
Author: Michelle Nadeau
Florida Employment Law Legislative Update – 2.8.2011
Proposed Changes to Florida’s Unemployment Laws Senate Bill 728 proposes to make changes to Florida’s unemployment laws, making it tougher to receive unemployment benefits. The proposed changes include: Requiring those newly receiving unemployment benefits complete a skills assessment. Reducing the time one can continue receiving benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. Requiring those receiving […]
Florida Employment Law Legislative Update – 2.8.2011
Proposed Changes to Florida’s Unemployment Laws Senate Bill 728 proposes to make changes to Florida’s unemployment laws, making it tougher to receive unemployment benefits. The proposed changes include: Requiring those newly receiving unemployment benefits complete a skills assessment. Reducing the time one can continue receiving benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. Requiring those receiving […]
Summary Judgment Denied in FLSA Case and Fluctuating Work Week Rejected Under the Circumstances
In a motion denying summary judgment in a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) case (West v. Verizon Services Corp.), the Middle District of Florida found that: there was a joint relationship between a leasing agency and the entity it contracted with; the failure to keep time records, together with Plaintiff’s testimony that she did work […]
“Concerted Activity” Definition Expanded
Last week, in Parexel International, 356 NLRB No. 82 (2011) the National Labor Relations Board expanded its definition of “concerted activity” by holding that an employee who complained to a supervisor about wages and working conditions (and was subsequently terminated) was engaging in protected behavior. The NLRB reversed an Administrative Law Judge’s ruling that her […]
Quick Facts about USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) protects civilian employment rights of those that leave work to perform noncareer military service. Some USERRA facts: It applies to almost all employers regardless of size or interstate commerce; Individual liability may exist; May apply to temporary, part-time, and seasonal employees as well; Has […]
Quick Facts about USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) protects civilian employment rights of those that leave work to perform noncareer military service. Some USERRA facts: It applies to almost all employers regardless of size or interstate commerce; Individual liability may exist; May apply to temporary, part-time, and seasonal employees as well; Has […]
Robert O’Neill Nominated to U.S. Attorney Position for the Middle District of Florida
Yesterday, President Obama nominated Robert O’Neill to the U.S. Attorney position in the Middle District of Florida. O’Neill has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District since 1993. O’Neill must go through a review by the Senate Judiciary Committee and be confirmed by the Senate to become U.S. Attorney. For more information, […]
Eleventh Circuit Holds Prison Liable for the Sexual Harassment of its Female Employees by Male Inmates
On Friday, The Eleventh Circuit upheld a sexual harassment jury verdict against the Florida Department of Corrections. In Beckford v. Fla. Department of Corrections, female employees were subject to rather explicit sexual harassment by prison inmates, including something called “gunning” (I will let you read the opinion for that definition). The employees repeatedly complained to […]