There are a lot of good reasons for employers to want to eliminate workplace confrontations. Disputes among employees affect productivity, make for an unhappy and unprofessional work environment, and can escalate to more...more
In 2014, at least 25 states have legislation pending which would limit an employer from accessing personal social media. Last week Oklahoma joined that list....more
A little-noticed change to retaliation claims just went into effect. Beginning February 1, 2014, Oklahoma employers face greater exposure to claims of workers’ compensation retaliation....more
For some time, the NCAA, academic institutions and students have been debating how college athletes — who earn millions of dollars for their institutions — should be treated in terms of compensation, benefits and having a...more
About a year ago, a group of private citizens paid for a seven-foot-tall granite monument of the Ten Commandments and gained approval for it to be placed on the north end of the Oklahoma Capitol grounds. Not surprisingly, a...more
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) prohibits sex-based discrimination in pay and benefits. Employers should not pay different wages to employees of the opposite sex for substantially equal work. “Substantially equal” work does...more
The last several months have witnessed a flurry of court activity regarding same-sex marriage laws. On Tuesday, January 14, Oklahoma joined that activity with an order and opinion issued by Tulsa’s federal court....more
As we fall headlong into the teeth of the winter weather season, now is a good time to review some common questions employers face this time of year. ...more
I get tired of reading stories about employees fired by their employer for some ill-conceived tweet, blog, photo or Facebook posting. Invariably, my first reaction is, “How can people be so reckless or dumb?” As these...more
By now, most employers have faced situations in which they have discovered an employee has used a false Social Security number. Such discovery usually results in an employee discharge or resignation. A lawsuit filed on...more
Effective November 1, 2013, two Oklahoma statutes governing how an employer addresses tobacco use in its workplace or by its employees will be revised.
Under the new 21 Okla. Stat. § 1247, lighted tobacco products in...more
After the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision regarding same-sex marriages in United States v. Windsor this summer, a number of governmental agencies charged with administering employment laws have issued explanations...more
On March 8, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) released an updated version of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form. While the new I-9 form is effective immediately, employers have a 60-day...more
In a January 23, 2013 decision, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma continued a recent trend in Oklahoma cases enforcing arbitration clauses included in employment agreements or relationships....more
2/11/2013
/ American Arbitration Association ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Discrimination ,
Employment Contract ,
Gender Discrimination ,
Hostile Environment ,
Mandatory Arbitration Clauses ,
Race Discrimination ,
Retaliation ,
Title VII ,
Volkswagen
Under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), employers may not discriminate against employees based on military service. USERRA also affords employees returning from military leave with...more
In some cases, employees who have suffered an emotional or psychological injury in the course of their job may seek benefits under Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation Act. However, a recent Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals...more