The General Assembly over the weekend passed a comprehensive bill that permits individuals to use marijuana for palliative purposes. The bill is expected to be signed by the Governor this month. Besides just permitting individuals to use marijuana, it has several important provisions that will impact employers in Connecticut. Unfortunately, as the history of medical marijuana… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: federal
Judge Peter Dorsey, Federal Judge, Dies at 80
Posted in LitigationThe bench lost another notable judge this past week. Judge Peter Dorsey — who was the former chief judge of the District of Connecticut and who continued to serve despite taking “senior” status — died Friday at the age of 80. I last appeared before Judge Dorsey very late last year. He had a wonderful… Continue Reading
What Does it Take to Survive a Motion to Dismiss? Facts, Not Conclusions
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, LitigationBack in February, I noted that a motion to dismiss in federal court – while still difficult to achieve — still had a pulse. That’s important for employers because it provides a mechanism for getting rid of frivolous claims early on with lower costs than federal lawsuits typically cost. A new district court case gives… Continue Reading
Impairments That Merely Affect Major Life Activities Not Covered by ADA, Says Federal Court
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, LitigationToday, my colleague Jonathan Orleans makes a return engagement to the blog, updating us on a decision released by the District Court of Connecticut yesterday that has relevance to various ADA cases in the state. The Defendant was successfully represented by another colleague of mine here at the firm, Marcy Stovall. A decision issued yesterday… Continue Reading
Columbus Day is Coming. And Most Employers are Open.
Posted in Human Resources (HR) ComplianceOver the last few years, I’ve been running a popular post about Columbus Day and the origins of the work holiday in Connecticut. Indeed, it has its foundation as a federal holiday and is listed in the United States Code (5 U.S.C. Sec. 6103). Columbus Day is officially on October 12th (celebrating Columbus arrival on… Continue Reading
US Department of Labor Clarifies Definition of “Son or Daughter” Under FMLA, Affording Rights to Gay Parents
Posted in Laws and RegulationsThe United States Department of Labor late today issued a new interpretation of what a "son or daughter" is under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to make it clear that an "employee who assumes the role of caring for a child receives parental rights to family leave regardless of the legal or… Continue Reading
From the Archives: Why Some People are Working (Or Have the Day Off) on Columbus Day
Posted in Human Resources (HR) ComplianceToday is officially Columbus Day. In prior years, I have written a post on the day and why most people are working today. Given the relevance of the post again this year, I reprint it below (with some slight updates). Columbus Day is officially on October 12th (celebrating Columbus arrival on October 12, 1492), but… Continue Reading
From the Archives: Are You Working on Columbus Day
Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and RegulationsSunday is officially Columbus Day. But across the country and in Connecticut, the second Monday in October is the day we celebrate the holiday. Last year, I wrote a post on the day and why most people are working on that date. Given the relevance of the post again this year, I reprint it below… Continue Reading
U.S. Department of Labor Proposes New Wage/Hour Regulations
Posted in Laws and Regulations, Wage & HourBuried deep, deep, deep in Monday’s Federal Register was a quiet announcement that the U.S. Department of Labor was proposing some new wage/hour regulations interpreting the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (download here). In the "summary" section, the DOL states that the new regulations are needed because the regulations, in some cases, are out… Continue Reading
Federal Minimum Wage Increase Today Has No Impact on Connecticut Workers
Posted in Laws and Regulations, Wage & HourYou may hear about an increase in the federal minimum wage today from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour. If you do, you can ignore the news in Connecticut because it will not have any effect on workers here. If a state law puts the minimum wage rate higher than the federal minimum wage, state law applies. … Continue Reading
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument on Two Retaliation Cases
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, LitigationAs with other U.S. Supreme Court cases this term, there’s been more virtual ink spilled this week over two oral arguments scheduled for the U.S. Supreme Court this week that will examine some of the parameters of when it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for complaining about discrimination. For most employers, however, these cases may… Continue Reading
About Daniel Schwartz
Trusted advisor. Experienced employment law attorney. Bar leader. Award-winning author. Noted Speaker. "Legal Rebel". All can be said to be apt descriptions of Daniel Schwartz, a member of Pullman & Comley. More +
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