Industry News

On April 4, 2022, The Georgia Legislature adopted HB 1390, thereby creating a cause of action for damages and other relief against certain local government employer who retaliate against employees because they complained of, reported, objected to, or engaged in certain other activities reflecting their opposition to sexual harassment. Governor Kemp is expected to sign HB 1390 into law. This article provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding HB 1390.

On Thursday, September 9, 2021, President Biden signed several Executive Orders as part of a new, six-part plan (“Plan”) to address the current spike in COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, largely attributed to unvaccinated individuals.

Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Georgia. These attorneys are selected via peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation.

In the last year of his administration, President Obama issued a “State Call to Action on Non-Compete Agreements,” identifying those agreements as having “the potential to hold back wages and entrepreneurship.” President Obama called upon states to reduce their “misuse.”

In a much anticipated decision on the applicability and scope of sovereign immunity to Georgia municipalities, the Georgia Supreme Court has reaffirmed the public policy of the State that municipalities are immune from liability for damages, absent a waiver by the General Assembly.

Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Georgia. These attorneys are selected via peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation.

With only 12 days until the inauguration of President-elect Biden and the legislative work of the 117th Congress, we are focused on the first 100 days of the new administration. Here are some predictions about what to expect in the labor and employment space:

The FDA just authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Given this exciting development, employers ask whether they can require employees to take the vaccine as soon as possible.

Georgia businesses may defeat COVID-19 claims and lawsuits if they demonstrate compliance with the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act (“Act”). The Act protects a broad range of individuals, businesses, governmental bodies, religious organizations, and educational institutions from state law claims related to the transmission of COVID-19.

Employers are now experiencing a surge of novel legal claims brought by current and former employees relating directly and indirectly to the pandemic. As a result, employers must consider the potential for such claims as they take personnel actions and implement other decisions affecting their employees in this current environment.

According to statistical figures from the federal courts, civil litigants filed approximately 7,700 Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) cases during calendar year 2018. For comparison purposes, just 4,000 FLSA cases were filed in 2005, the first time the FLSA case load ever reached 4,000 cases in a year.

The 2019 H1B Quota Season is in full stride. Those with experience filing H1B petitions will know that the time to get materials assembled for quota cases is here. For those employers and foreign nationals who are new to the process, now is the time to evaluate your situations and assemble your files. Here are some basic tips:

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to raise the minimum salary (currently $455/week) to $679 per week beginning January 1, 2020.

It is now about six weeks away from the beginning of the H1B quota period. I know that many people are still in the process of assembling their H1B materials and there are still other employers and foreign nationals who are considering which firm or attorney to use to guide them through the process. Arguably collecting the necessary documentation and information for the H1B petition can be simpler than choosing your immigration counsel.

It is now about six weeks away from the beginning of the H1B quota period. I know that many people are still in the process of assembling their H1B materials and there are still other employers and foreign nationals who are considering which firm or attorney to use to guide them through the process. Arguably collecting the necessary documentation and information for the H1B petition can be simpler than choosing your immigration counsel.