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Don’t drag your feet on accommodation requests

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an employer should grant accommodations to an employee with a disability, so long as the accommodation is reasonable and does not impose an undue hardship upon the employer’s...more

Employer criminally charged for harboring unauthorized workers

With the recent filing of federal criminal charges against an employer, immigration enforcement actions have escalated to a new level. Leonardo Baez and Alicia Avila-Guel have owned and operated Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s...more

FTC’s ban on noncompete agreements halted … sort of

Earlier this spring, in an article titled “FTC announces nationwide ban on noncompetes in the workplace,” we alerted employers to the Federal Trade Commission’s approval of a final rule implementing a nationwide ban on...more

Are employers responsible for accommodating commuting difficulties under the ADA?

Many factors come into play when employers set work hours for employees, including such things as operational requirements or customers’ needs. On occasion, though, employees may request that their employers modify their work...more

‘Bad’ rap: Offensive workplace music triggers harassment lawsuit

Sometimes music at work can be a welcome diversion. But not all songs favored by employees come from “The Sound of Music.”  An employer’s obligation to keep its workplace free from harassment includes paying attention to what...more

Are employers potentially liable for customers’ harassing behavior?

Typically, harassment claims involve allegations that an individual has been harassed by a co-worker or supervisor. A recent case involving an Illinois casino demonstrates the importance of employers guarding against...more

Are remote employees eligible for FMLA leave?

With increasing numbers of employees working remotely, employers can sometimes lose sight of the fact that a remote worker may be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). A Bulletin issued in February...more

Court upholds firing of marijuana cardholders discharged after positive weed test

Oklahoma and Arkansas medical marijuana laws - Oklahoma and Arkansas have enacted medical marijuana laws with similar features. In Oklahoma, an individual may qualify for a state medical marijuana license permitting them...more

Upon re-evaluation, service dog barred from workplace

With increasing frequency, employees ask to bring animals to work. Under some circumstances, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes that the presence of a bona fide service animal in the workplace can be a...more

Employers required to display new EEO poster in workplace

On October 19, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a new federal employment law poster entitled “Know Your Rights“. The new poster replaces the current “EEO is the Law” version, and it should be posted in...more

Oklahoma City Apple Store votes to unionize

When Apple’s Penn Square Mall retail store in Oklahoma City voted on Friday to unionize, it became the tech giant’s second location in the United States to do so. Is this a trend for other Oklahoma employers? Count on...more

Facebook Messenger for FMLA leave requests? Maybe.

The attendance policy - Gestamp West Virginia, LLC manufactures auto parts in South Charleston, West Virginia. Under Gestamp’s attendance and leave policies, employees must notify their group leader at least 30 minutes...more

NLRB proposes sweeping changes for 'joint employers'

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for overseeing relations between labor and employers for both unionized and non-unionized workplaces and for administering the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)....more

Defining contractors

For employers, the use of independent contractors to assist in business operations is an important option. Contractors typically provide flexibility and cost savings as they don’t receive overtime pay or employee...more

'I got fired …. but I still want my commissions'

Although it involves Texas law, a recent case illustrates the pitfalls that an employer can face when a former employee makes a claim for commissions or compensation after their employment has ended. It also offers...more

Buying a business? Don’t buy an employment lawsuit

When acquiring a business, companies sometimes unwittingly buy an employment lawsuit. Recently, the 10th Circuit – the federal appeals court that applies to Oklahoma employers – explained when a successor business can be held...more

Workplace investigations: Prompt and reasonable, but not always perfect

Employers understand the importance of investigating employees’ harassment complaints. A recent case explains what standards apply to the company’s investigation and what happens if the employer cannot determine who was the...more

Want a union card with your latte?

For some, loyalty to a particular coffee brand rivals a person’s devotion to their college football team. Kathleen, my spouse, would crawl three miles over broken glass for her Starbucks Americano decaf. I favor QuikTrip and...more

Home Depot employee’s wrongful discharge claim hammered

Under some circumstances, Oklahoma law recognizes that terminated employees may pursue a public policy wrongful discharge claim against a former employer. These claims allow a narrow exception to the employment at-will status...more

Class action challenges company’s non-compensation of travel and meeting time

Whether to pay any travel time for employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can be complicated. Employees who believe they should be compensated for that time often challenge non-payment. A dispute over travel time...more

Who pays for testing under vax-or-test mandate?

Employers with more than 100 employees are watching legal challenges around the country to see if OSHA’s federal regulations putting in place a COVID-19 vaccination mandate will be upheld in whole or in part. In the meantime,...more

Employers likely responsible for paying for COVID-19 testing under Oklahoma law

Yesterday, following OSHA’s release of federal regulations implementing a workplace COVID-19 vaccination mandate, we reported that, effective January 4, 2022, employers with 100 or more employees would be required to...more

OSHA releases final rule regarding workplace vaccination mandates

This morning the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its interim final rule regarding the Biden administration’s vaccination mandate for employers with 100 or more employees. The rule will be...more

Are off-site injuries covered by workers’ comp in Oklahoma? It depends.

Over the years there has been a steady stream of cases involving employees who have filed workers’ compensation claims after being injured away from the employer’s premises. Sometimes it was difficult to determine whether the...more

Employee’s spouse sues employer over COVID-19 infection

In order to prepare for issues Oklahoma employers could face in the future, we monitor lawsuits filed in other states that present new, unique, or challenging claims for employers. Keeping track of national trends makes...more

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