On August 31, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board issued a decision in Miller Plastic Products, Inc. that will make it easier for a single worker’s action to be considered “concerted” under the National Labor Relations Act. In a 3-1 decision, the Board overruled its 2019 decision in Alstate Maintenance, which had narrowed the
Employer Liability
NLRB Orders Employers Must Prove the Need for Personal Conduct Rules
On August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board reversed precedent on the issue of work rules that proscribe employee personal conduct. In Stericycle, the Board reversed and remanded an ALJ’s decision that found the employer violated Section 8(a)(1) by maintaining work rules addressing personal conduct, conflict of interest, and confidentiality of harassment complaints.…
Navigating the Future: Understanding the EEOC’s Latest Guidance on AI in Employment
This post was co-authored by Christian M. Wolgemuth, an attorney in McNees’ Privacy & Data Security and Litigation practice groups.
In our rapidly evolving technological landscape, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prevalent, touching virtually every aspect of our lives. From smart assistants that streamline our tasks to advanced data analytics that…
DOL Issues Major Updates to Davis-Bacon Regulations
On August 8, 2023, the Department of Labor issued a Final Rule that makes significant changes to contractor and subcontractor obligations on federal and federally-assisted construction projects. Contractors who perform work under projects covered by the Davis-Bacon Act should become familiar with their new obligations.
We have summarized below some of the key provisions of…
Now that marijuana is legal in Maryland, what do employers need to know?
Effective July 1, 2023, Maryland became the 21st state to legalize recreational cannabis. Individuals 21 and over may now purchase, possess, and use cannabis products without fear of criminal repercussions in the state. Cultivation of no more than two plants is also permitted. Because Maryland has a developed dispensary system for medical cannabis, progressing…
NLRB General Counsel Says Non-Compete Agreements Violate the NLRA
It’s no secret that non-compete agreements have recently come under greater scrutiny by the federal government. In July 2021, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” that, among other things, directed the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to consider curtailing the use of non-compete agreements. Then, in January…
When Assessing the Propriety of Employee Discipline, One Size No Longer Fits All
Now more than ever, it seems that employees are willing to express themselves. While open communication with and among employees is usually a good thing, sometimes an employer’s rules are broken in the process. A worker might call her supervisor a nasty name while complaining about her production team’s overtime assignments. An employee could use…
Lancaster County Judge Addresses Definition of “Under the Influence” for Purposes of the Safety Exception in the PA Medical Marijuana Act
On January 10, 2023, Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Wright addressed the question that has been plaguing employers since the passage of the PA Medical Marijuana Act (the “Act”) – what constitutes being “under the influence” for purposes of the Act’s safety exception? As a reminder, when the Act was passed, the…
New Federal Pregnancy Protections for Employees
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Congress passed two new pregnancy-related laws requiring covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees due to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. The two new laws are the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), effective June 27, 2023, and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing…
Is it the Beginning of the End for Workplace Non-Compete Agreements?
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making and additional information describing a new proposed rule that would prohibit employers across the country from entering into non-compete agreements with their workforce. The FTC’s press release and related information on the proposed rule can be found here.…