Workforce Bulletin

By Stuart Gerson

Yesterday, the Supreme Court decided Department of Homeland Security v. MacLean. MacLean was a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee who, without authorization, disclosed to a reporter the otherwise unpublicized termination of  missions related to hijack prevention. He claimed he was disclosing a matter related to public safety. He was fired pursuant to regulations promulgated under the Homeland Security Act, 116 Stat. 2135. That Act provides that the  TSA “shall prescribe regulations prohibiting the disclosure of information . . . if the ...

Our colleague Joshua A. Stein authored Epstein Becker Green’s recent issue of its Take 5 newsletter.   This Take 5 highlights five recent developments and future trends under Title III that places of public accommodation should keep their eyes on in 2015.

1. Website Accessibility
2. Accessible Point-of-Sale Devices and Other Touchscreen Technology
3. Movie Theater Captioning & Audio (Narrative) Description
4. The Availability of Sign Language Interpreters at Health Care Facilities
5. “Drive By” Design/Construction Lawsuits

 Read the full newsletter here.

 

Robert S. Groban, Jr. and the Immigration Law Group of Epstein Becker Green recently issued an alert that will be of interest to employers. Following are the main topic headings:

• H-1B Nonimmigrant Season Opens on April 1, 2015, for Fiscal Year 2016
• President Obama Issues Executive Order on Immigration
• States Sue to Enjoin the Executive Order
• Federal Court in the District of Columbia Allows Worker Challenge to OPT Program
• DOS Issues New J-1 Rules for 2015
• DOS Issues January 2015 Visa Bulletin 

Read the full alert here

Robert S. Groban, Jr. and the Immigration Law Group of Epstein Becker Green recently issued an alert that will be of interest to employers. Following are the main topic headings:

• H-1B Nonimmigrant Season Opens on April 1, 2015, for Fiscal Year 2016
• President Obama Issues Executive Order on Immigration
• States Sue to Enjoin the Executive Order
• Federal Court in the District of Columbia Allows Worker Challenge to OPT Program
• DOS Issues New J-1 Rules for 2015
• DOS Issues January 2015 Visa Bulletin 

Read the full alert here

Robert S. Groban, Jr. and the Immigration Law Group of Epstein Becker Green recently issued an alert that will be of interest to employers. Following are the main topic headings:

• H-1B Nonimmigrant Season Opens on April 1, 2015, for Fiscal Year 2016
• President Obama Issues Executive Order on Immigration
• States Sue to Enjoin the Executive Order
• Federal Court in the District of Columbia Allows Worker Challenge to OPT Program
• DOS Issues New J-1 Rules for 2015
• DOS Issues January 2015 Visa Bulletin 

Read the full alert here

Robert S. Groban, Jr. and the Immigration Law Group of Epstein Becker Green recently issued an alert that will be of interest to employers. Following are the main topic headings:

• H-1B Nonimmigrant Season Opens on April 1, 2015, for Fiscal Year 2016
• President Obama Issues Executive Order on Immigration
• States Sue to Enjoin the Executive Order
• Federal Court in the District of Columbia Allows Worker Challenge to OPT Program
• DOS Issues New J-1 Rules for 2015
• DOS Issues January 2015 Visa Bulletin 

Read the full alert here

Valerie Butera, Member of the Firm in the Labor and Employment practice, will present a complimentary webinar, hosted by Midwest Employers Casualty Company, on January 27 at 11:00 a.m. EST titled "OSHA Forecast: Developments to Watch in 2015 and Beyond."

By Amy Messigian

Yesterday, the California Court of Appeal ruled against The Wet Seal Retail, Inc. in its appeal of the denial of its motion to compel arbitration.  The trial court determined that the arbitration agreement at issue impermissibly waived representative actions under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA).  Because the agreement also stated that it was not to be enforced if the waiver provision was found unconscionable, the court denied the motion to compel arbitration.  On appeal, the decision was affirmed.  This case highlights the current divide between state and ...

On January 11, 2015, a multi-vehicle pile-up took place in west Michigan involving nearly 200 vehicles, including at least one truck carrying fireworks, and another carrying formic acid.  The formic acid caused a HAZMAT event and the fireworks exploded in the truck that was carrying them.  Many were badly injured in the accident, including two firefighters who responded to the exploding fireworks.  Tragically, the driver of another semi-truck was killed.

Winter weather and hazardous driving conditions were significant causal factors in the pile-up.  Although OSHA does not have ...

Our colleague August Emil Huelle at Epstein Becker Green has an Employee Benefits Insight Blog post that will be of interest to many of our readers: “Legislation Introduced to Change Full-Time Employee Definition under the Affordable Care Act.”

Following is an excerpt:

On January 7, 2015, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Donnelly (D–IN) along with Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Forty Hours is Full Time Act, legislation that would amend the definition of a “full-time employee” under the Affordable Care Act to an employee who works an ...