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.
Gender Equality, Me Too and AI: A Recap of 2018, and Prediction for 2019
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.
Before Throwing Your Holiday Bash, Know The Law About Serving Alcohol to Employees
The holidays are a time for festive parties and plenty of cheer. For many employers, this time of year also creates the perfect opportunity to show your staff how much you appreciate them. If you're considering throwing a memorable office bash complete with open bar, you may want to think twice.
How Businesses Can Effectively Cope With New Non-Compete Clauses
The recent passing of a Massachusetts law addressing non-compete agreements has employers across the country taking notice. This new law, which has been called "foolish" and "counterproductive" by analysts, grants employees bound by non-compete agreements some bold new rights.
How A Lacking HR Department Can Put Your Business In Legal Turmoil
If you're like most small business owners, you're used to handling a variety of tasks on your own. Outsourcing duties like processing payroll and handing human resources is probably low on your list of priorities. After all, if you've been doing it by yourself for years, why add the extra expense now?
While your business probably can survive without an HR department, the real question is whether it should. Here's a look at the potential problems of handling your own HR, benefits of outsourcing, and tips for creating your own internal HR department.
Will There Be A New Anti-Discrimination Order for LGBTQ Workers In Florida?
Florida advocates and lawmakers are pushing for new protections for the LGBTQ community. The proposed Florida Competitive Workplace Act, which is supported by both Democratic representative Ben Diamond and Republican representative Rene Plascencia, aims at preventing employers in the restaurant and lodging industries or other public accommodations from discriminating against workers based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
This proposed new law would modify the state's current civil rights laws, which prohibit employment and housing discrimination based on a variety of factors but do not offer protection based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
It's Storm Season in Florida: Here's What Employers Should Know About Working Through A Hurricane
As the entire nation reels over the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, employer rights and responsibilities regarding conducting business during major storms is back in the spotlight. One of the most frequently asked questions revolves around whether employers have the right to require employees to work during a hurricane or other national disaster, and if employees can be fired for failure to do so. Although the answer to these questions seems simple on the surface, there are several important factors to consider.
Amazon announces $15 minimum wage for all US employees
Amazon is raising the bar when it comes to employee wages. The retail giant, which employs more than 250,000 permanent and 100,000 temporary workers, recently announced plans to raise the minimum wage for all employees to $15 per hour. The change also applies to employees of Amazon-owned Whole Foods and all other subsidiaries.
As one of the largest employers in the United States, this change reaches far beyond the immediate impact on Amazon employers. The company founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who also happens to be the richest man alive with an estimated net worth of $156 billion, released a statement that he's excited about the change and encourages other large U.S. employers to follow suit.
