Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How to Protect Yourself from Age Discrimination
What does age discrimination look like in today’s workplace? The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act aims to protect those who are 40 or older from being discriminated against in hiring and/or employment actions, but given that many senior positions already belong to those who are 40 or older, just what kind of age… Read More »
The Employment Discrimination Many Don’t See
Most people are familiar with the most common types of employment discrimination – discrimination based on age, disability, race, religion, etc. – but there are other types of discrimination in the workplace that can be harder to spot; discrimination that, nonetheless, can have a significant impact on workers’ employment rights under the law. Discrimination… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide On Workers’ Rights in Employment Contracts
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could have an impact on employment agreements and employee rights under labor laws, such as the National Labor Relations Act, on a broad level. Specifically, the appeal was submitted by Epic Systems, which lost its case in the Seventh Circuit concerning its mandate… Read More »
Labor Law Changes Coming With New Administration
Many employers and employees are wondering what’s on the horizon for labor law with the new administration. While we’ve previously discussed how the administration might affect the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and several pro-labor rules issued during the last few years, there are other relevant appointments and changes that will have a tremendous… Read More »
Important Updates and Clarifications Concerning Discrimination Based On National Origin
Many people do not realize that, while Title VII has always protected people from job discrimination based on national origin, last November, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published enforcement guidance on concerns associated with this specific type of harassment and discrimination. While the guidance serves as a reminder to employers that they cannot… Read More »
2017: Important Changes in Florida’s Workplaces
Many changes are set to take place in Florida workplaces in 2017. For example, in November, Florida voters legalized the use of medical marijuana for those suffering from specific conditions—such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc. In addition, Florida also increased its minimum wage, up to $8.10 as of January 1st. It is… Read More »
Florida Farmworkers in Danger from Unsafe Transportation
A lack of safe transportation is a regular problem for thousands of migrant farmworkers in Florida every year. There are chronic problems with our U.S.-based agricultural system, which depends upon a reliable (and seemingly endless) supply of low-wage workers. These workers—and our system—depend upon workers have access to free, safe transportation to and from… Read More »
Key Employment Discrimination Cases & Decisions Of 2016
There were many notable employment discrimination cases decided this year, especially those involving sex bias and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pushing for LGBT protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some of those important cases involved the following decisions: Constructive Discharge In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that… Read More »
$3.3 Million Verdict against Company for Violating Child Labor Laws
It’s an issue we don’t often hear about anymore (and probably haven’t since, perhaps, the industrial revolution): Companies violating child labor laws. And yet, on December 6th, a jury awarded one worker $3.3 million for injuries he sustained while working for a construction company—Precision Construction and Development, Inc.—seven years ago, when he was 15… Read More »
Another Race Discrimination/Workplace Claim Filed Against CNN & Turner
On December 8th, two African-American employees filed a class action lawsuit against CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and Time Warner, alleging racial discrimination in the workplace. Specifically, in their lawsuit, plaintiffs allege that the workplace culture at these companies discourages or prohibits minorities from exercising their rights under laws which prohibit employment discrimination. Specific Evidence of… Read More »
Robert S. Norell, Esq. became a member of the Florida Bar in 1994 and has represented hundreds of clients in all types of employment law cases for the past 20+ years.