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In the wake of several years of changes in both the law and the workplace, the federal agency that enforces harassment claims recently announced proposed updated guidelines. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the proposed guidelines at the end of September, and they are up for public comment until the beginning of November….

Under federal wage and hour laws, employees are eligible for overtime (time and a half) for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek, unless they meet specific criteria to qualify as “exempt.” New DOL rule would make millions of workers eligible for overtime A proposed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule would tighten…

The rise of easily accessible artificial intelligence (AI) tools is changing every industry, and one of the many new applications of AI is in making management decisions. While AI has promise to improve efficiency and productivity, it also carries significant risks for employees. In particular, concerns have been raised about AI algorithms making discriminatory employment…

During pregnancy and after childbirth, you have legal protection. In a victory for employees’ rights, last month, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect. This new federal law provides workers with the right to reasonable accommodations during pregnancy and after childbirth. It’s intended to allow you to keep doing your job and earning…

Depending on the circumstances, your firing or layoff could be legally actionable. If you’ve been fired or laid off, it’s only natural to believe it was unfair — and there is a good chance you’re right. The phrase “wrongful termination” may feel like it applies to your situation. However, wrongful termination in a legal sense…

Breaking down your rights to equal pay for equal work Enacted in 1963, the Equal Pay Act (EPA) is a federal law that requires employers to pay men and women equally for the same work. Today, the EPA is just one of several federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, but there are…

Understanding your legal rights and recourse in the workplace Quid pro quo (literally, “this for that”) sexual harassment occurs when someone in a position of power demands sexual favors in return for a job benefit. It is one of two types of illegal sexual harassment in the workplace (the other being a hostile work environment,…

Know your rights and legal options under West Virginia and federal law Most people who have been in the workforce for a while have been in at least one unpleasant work environment. Many of us have dealt with screaming bosses, argumentative coworkers, angry customers, and other rude or aggressive behavior. It’s only natural to wonder…

The proposed federal rule would empower workers Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposed rule that would ban employers from imposing non-compete agreements on employees. The new rule would prohibit employers from the following actions: entering into or attempting to enter into a non-compete with a worker; maintaining a noncompete with a…

Know your rights and legal options in the hiring process For many West Virginians, the new year also means a new job or at least a look at the job market to see what’s out there. If you’re considering applying for a new position, then you need to know your rights in the hiring process,…