Being pregnant can be a stressful experience for many workers, especially in the workplace. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) seeks to combat pregnant workers' overwhelming and isolating feelings through expanding the protections and accommodations available to pregnant workers. The PWFA does not replace any of the federal, state, or local laws that are more [...]
Picture this: one of your employees is unhappy with their position and pay. Unfortunately, the situation cannot be resolved in a way that satisfies both them and the company, and they end up deciding to leave amicably. All is well, that is, until you find out that before they left, they decided to take a [...]
Monkeypox was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) on July 23, 2022, and a public health emergency by the United States government on August 4, 2022. As of the date of this publication, there are 18,417 confirmed reported cases in the US and an average of 337 [...]
Last month, a Sheriff’s Office in Ohio received national attention for terminating an officer who obtained a hand tattoo reading “PURE EVIL” in violation of the department’s policy. There, the Sheriff’s Office had a long-standing policy prohibiting any tattoos on an employee’s face, neck, and hands, as well as a policy requiring officers to promote [...]
Unfortunately, harassment and discrimination can occur in the workplace, regardless of how strong an employer’s policies are or how frequently training is offered. Occasionally it is clear who the perpetrator of such harassment and discriminatory practices is, but at times such practices may arise from an unknown source. The Sixth Circuit’s recent decision in Burns [...]
On January 27, 2022, President Biden announced that the next justice nominated to the US Supreme Court will be a black woman. The President’s announcement left many questioning whether his appointment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race and sex-based employment decisions. However, the protections provided in Title VII only extend [...]
The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, give thanks, and of course, feast on turkey. But these joyous festivities occasionally result in attendance and performance issues in even the most exemplary employees. The following blog will address common employment concerns that arise during the holiday season and tips for addressing [...]
Throughout the nation, public and private employers alike are instituting voluntary and mandatory vaccination policies for their employees. Many of these policies require proof of vaccination. The following blog will address the responsibilities and limitations employers face when collecting, maintaining, and using an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination records. May Employers Collect Employee Vaccination Records? Yes, both [...]
Introduction With employees returning to the office from home, appearance and dress code policies have once again taken the spotlight. Some employees may be more accustomed to casual dress or seek to express themselves with a different appearance than they did prior to the pandemic. While employers may institute policies for appearances and dress codes [...]
Following a procedural vote, the Ohio General Assembly enacted a bill that will significantly change the ability of state and local authorities to respond to emergencies. SB 22 passed both chambers but was vetoed by Governor DeWine. The General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto on March 24, 2021, meaning the bill will become effective in [...]
