Non-compete agreements play an essential role in a commercial enterprise by limiting a former employee from using information gained from a former employer to gain an unfair advantage in the workplace. As an important part of employment law, non-compete agreements are designed to protect a business' interests on many different levels. Many companies require a non-compete to minimize the possible competition between a former employer and their old company. While competition is healthy in most cases, using trade secrets gained during a person's employment can cause substantial financial harm to their prior employer.
How Enforceable Are Non-Compete Clauses?
The Department of Labor's New Proposed Overtime Requirements and What They Mean for Employers
The FLSA employment law decides which employees qualify or which are exempt for overtime pay. An exempt employee due to their rate of pay and type of work duties do not qualify for overtime pay, whereas non-exempt employees are required to be paid overtime (time and a half) for hours worked over forty in a workweek.
The Difference Between Sexual and Non-Sexual Harassment at Work
Being pressured, embarrassed, or intimidated at work can make going to your job every day incredibly difficult. These situations are challenging to deal with and also leave you feeling confused as to how you can put a stop to them. You should not have to work under these conditions, and there are laws that protect your rights, so you don't have to work under this form of harassment. But how do you distinguish between sexual and non-sexual harassment?
Harassment Prevention in the Workplace
There are several ways in which an employee can be harassed in the workplace. Most think of sexual harassment when they think about work-related harassments, but other forms of abusive behaviors are also practiced to make work a very uncomfortable environment for some.
Will the New "E-Verify" Bill, Designed to Ban Undocumented Workers, Work in Practice?
The website, E-Verify belongs to the U.S. DHS (Department of Homeland Security.) It allows businesses to check the eligibility of their employees whether foreign citizens or U.S. citizens to work inside the United States. Established in 1996, this website was designed to prevent illegal immigrants and others who had violated immigration laws from being able to work legally in the U.S.
Closing the Gender Pay Gap
Gaps in pay that are associated to gender have been around since women entered the workplace. Bridging, and eventually closing those gaps, is an ongoing process that may take several years to complete. While there may always be some differentiation between the pay for both men and women, the fact that women will remain in the workplace is bringing about positive change.
Gender Equality, Me Too and AI: A Recap of 2018, and Prediction for 2019
From the proliferation of the #MeToo movement and the spotlight on gender equality issue to advances in artificial intelligence, 2018 was an eventful year for employment law. Here's a look back at how these events shaped the current environment and some thoughts about what you can expect to see over the next 12 months.
Florida Gives Incentive to Background Checks, While Federal Law Offers Protection
As an employer, you want to do everything you can to ensure you make good hiring decisions. Your employees represent you and your company both on the job and off. Making a poor decision can result in unhappy customers and potential liability. High employee turnover also creates unnecessary financial expenses and a loss of productivity.
The New Minimum Wage Age
Florida residents are ringing in 2019 with a higher minimum wage, and they're not alone. With the Federal minimum wage rate remaining stagnant at $7.25 per hour for the past ten years, 20 states and 21 cities have taken it upon themselves to enforce their own new minimum wage regulations.
Employment Law Changes to Expect in 2019
As Florida employers prepare to wind down 2018, most are hoping for a quiet New Year when it comes dealing with employment laws. Although there is nothing of major concern coming down the pipeline at this time, there are two big changes you'll want to look out for in 2019.
