Late August means it’s time for the Iowa State Fair, one of the Top 100 Events in North America, home of corn dogs, the butter cow, and over one million visitors. One of the interesting side-shows at this year’s fair involved the Des Moines Regional Transit Authority (DART), an atheist 
organization, and a Christian bus driver.
Wage and Hour Cases in the News
Employee Availability After Hours Comes at a Price
The Wall Street Journal reports on a potential boom in lawsuits relating to unpaid overtime. The culprit–company issued smart phones combined with lean workforces requiring fewer employees who handle more responsibility. With new technology, employees are capable, and often expected, to handle work related communication anytime and anywhere, whether they are
Social Networking and Background Checks
A post in today’s HR Daily Advisor poses the question whether an employer is better or worse off using internet social networking sites as a means of performing background checks on prospective employees. On one hand, the internet is an inexpensive and easy way of getting information about a person’s background and character. Given the risks
EFCA and Free Speech
John Irving, former general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, published a thoughtful opinion piece last week entitled "Don’t Employer’s Deserve Free Speech?" . The article addresses an important, but less well publicized, aspect of the proposed Employee Free Choice Act. That is, stiff penalties and liquidated damages for employers found guilty of
Update: Religious Discrimination
Two recent cases out of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (which includes Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, and North and South Dakota) serve as important reminders that employers should be alert to potential claims of religious discrimination and religion based harassment occurring in their work places:
- On July 31, the EEOC
What’s New This Week
As we enter the traditional "dog days" of summer, the world of labor and employment law remains active. Here are are some highlights of important and interesting news this week:
1. Furloughs
Although there is some indication the recession is easing, many employers remain concerned about the economy. Pay reductions and temporary furloughs provide a means by which employers can manage payroll