McNamee Hosea News & Press — Employment Law

Back
Employers Should Be Aware of Less Obvious Forms of Discrimination

December 2015

Employers throughout Maryland are likely aware they need to take steps to keep workplace free from discriminatory actions. Among other things, it is against the law to discriminate against workers based on religious beliefs, race and gender. To prevent this from occurring, workplaces need to train employees on the types of behavior that are acceptable. While workers may not engage in more obvious forms of discriminatory behavior, more subtle forms can be harmful as well. Full Article
Wage and Hour Claims Increase Dramatically

December 2015

Employment disputes can arise in a variety of settings. One type of claim a business could find it is defending against is a wage and hour claim. Wage and hour laws are memorialized in the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition to setting overtime levels, the law also sets the nation’s minimum wage. According to a recent report, it is becoming more and more common for businesses to be involved in wage and hour litigation. Full Article
Montgomery County Leave Law

December 2015

On June 23, 2015, Montgomery County enacted The Earned Sick and Safe Leave Law. The law requires employers operating and doing business in Montgomery County to provide paid sick and safe leave to eligible employees. Full Article
Employers Must Provide Adequate Space for Mothers to Breastfeed

November 2015

The Affordable Care Act stipulates that eligible workplaces must provide reasonable accommodations for nursing mothers. This includes adequate lactation breaks and a locked room in which the mother can express milk. The ACA amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to grant these explicit protections for new mothers. Full Article
EEOC Looks to Help Employers Reduce Workplace Sexual Harassment

November 2015

A strong workforce is one of many things necessary to make a business successful. There are multiple ways in which this can be accomplished including keeping the workplace free of sexual harassment. While activities that constitute this behavior are prohibited under federal law, sexual harassment in the workplace does still happen. When it does it can be costly to an employer. Because the best way to deal with this matter is to prevent it from happening in the first place, it is vital that businesses take steps to keep workplaces free from sexual harassment. Full Article
Used Correctly, Employment Contracts Can Protect Business

November 2015

A strong workforce is an important part of running a strong business. Because of this, when it comes to hiring, in addition to getting the right person in each role, it is also important to take steps to protect your business. This may be accomplished via the use of an employment contracts. While the information included in an employment contract could vary depending on your business needs, there are certain elements that should be included, no matter what. Full Article
Study Finds Maryland Not at Top of List for Employee Lawsuits

October 2015

In the case of any business it is likely at some point it will find that another party has taken legal action against it. The reasons behind these lawsuits vary. Sometimes they are filed by employees who believe they have been discriminated against in the workplace. A recent study conducted by specialty insurer Hiscox, focused on this very thing in the United States. Full Article
Non Compete Agreements Could Dictate Future of Businesses

October 2015

There are multiple ways in which a contract could be used in an employment situation to benefit both parties. Employers might use a non compete to protect their business from things such as employees sharing trade secrets. Though generally signed at the start of the employment relationship, they do not go into effect until an employee no longer works for the employer. A salon business with locations in Maryland, recently took legal action based on this premise. Full Article