Skip to main content

What I've Been Reading This Week

I do not come across too many articles that also fall into the immigration category, even though I have several friends and readers of the blog who practice in that field.  With that being said, I recently came across a ruling that dealt with an I-9 related issue that proved to be very costly for the employer (to the tune of over $200,000.00 in penalties).  So for those of my readers who also practice in the immigration field, this post is for you!

As always, below are a few articles that caught my eye this week.


Ensuring There are No Hiccups When Implementing a Sick Leave Plan

This is a really well written article from the Orrick Blog.  They really know their stuff and write several articles that I always enjoy reading.  This particular one deals with how an employer can ensure there are limited hiccups when a sick leave plan is implemented.  Granted, there are bound to be obstacles and unforeseen issues that crop up, but this is worth a read on how some of those pitfalls can be avoided.



Recently, a decision was handed down by the US Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review which uphold penalties imposed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an employer's "technical" I-9 violation.  The big takeaway from this ruling is that the individual who signs Section 2 of the I-9 form (on the employer's side) MUST be the same individual that reviewed the original employment verification documents presented by the employee. 


Uber: Changing Transportation & Also the Labor Market

The New York Times had a good note on how Uber's success and tremendous growth have fueled other companies to model their business plans after Uber.  In particular, the way that Uber utilizes and mobilizes its workforce is quite unique, and as the article points out, a trend that other companies seem to be following.  Can Uber change more than just the transportation industry?  I'd say yes, given the impact it has had on the labor market so far.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NLRB: Discussion Among Employees About Tip Pooling is Protected Concerted Activity

  This Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board’s Associate General Counsel, Jayme Sophir, addressed whether employees which discussed and complained about tip pooling at work constituted protected concerted activity. In relevant part, an employer in New York operated a chain of steakhouses.  While tip pooling was in place at these steakhouses, some of the employees objected to it on the grounds that it was not transparent and improperly divided tips among the workers.  Employees were told not to complain or talk to each other about the tip pool and were told that doing so would endanger their jobs.  Despite the employer later attempting to provide some clarity as to how the tips were being divided, rancor still existed among some employees.  At one point, the employees were told by a general manager that some employees that had been talking about the tip pool were “cleared out” and the employer would continue to do so. In the Advice Memorandum,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking: Labor Secretary Rumored to Be Leaving Administration

A few hours ago, word leaked out that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (“Walsh”) is in the midst of negotiations to head up the NHL Players Union and leave his position at the Labor Department. Walsh, who has served as the sole Labor Secretary under President Biden, has taken part in a labor renaissance of sorts as support for organized labor has increased during his term as Labor Secretary (although the number of workers that have joined a union over the past two years has not grown as mush as some expected.)  He has also overseen the ongoing negotiations with rail workers over a new contract, although that matter is still on shaky ground and playing out as we speak. As for who might step into the vacant Labor Secretary role, there are already rumblings that President Biden should nominate Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su (a strong labor advocate) or even a progressive like Senator Bernie Sanders.  Until Walsh officially gives his notice, however, I would expect some/many potential...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Vetoes Minimum Wage Hike

A few months ago, readers might remember that I pointed out that the New Jersey Legislature had voted to approve a minimum wage hike in the state .  Under the approved legislation, the minimum wage rate would rise to $10.10/hour in the next year and at least $15/hour over the next five.  (The current minimum wage rate in the state is $8.38/hour).  In that article, I had noted that the bill was then going to go before Governor Chris Christie for his approval or veto. As I had suggested previously, I thought that the Governor would likely veto the bill based upon his prior actions and comments on similar legislation.  Well, a few days ago, Governor Christie did just that and vetoed the bill on the grounds that it "would trigger an escalation of wages that will make doing business in New Jersey unfathomable."  Pointing to the increase in hourly minimum wage rates, the Governor referred to the bill as a "really radical increase."  (It is interesting to c...
Post a Comment
Read more