Archives of Newsletter Articles

Assessing the Employee’s Religious Exemption Request to a Vaccine Mandate

Most employers have likely had discussions about whether and when to require employees to become vaccinated, or what to do if the vaccine mandate announced by President Biden (applicable to all employers of 100+ employees) becomes law. Even if federal law makes vaccinations mandatory, it is likely that the law will continue to recognize potential […]

Important news for employers in the city of Charlotte – Charlotte City Council expands local nondiscrimination law

In early August, the Charlotte City Council unanimously passed an amendment to thecity’s nondiscrimination ordinance (“NDO”). The expanded ordinance applies tobusinesses of all sizes and provides protections not otherwise provided under state andfederal law. Who does the NDO apply to? The NDO applies to businesses of all sizes that operate in the city of Charlotte. […]

Are you giving paid leave to employees for COVID vaccination or for recovery from vaccine side effects? If so – get your tax credits!

In April 2021, the Treasury Department and the IRS announced that eligible employerscould receive paid leave tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)for providing leave for employees receiving the vaccine and for the time needed to recoverfrom the vaccine from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021. On July 29, 2021, […]

Important changes for NC employers regarding employee pay

On July 8, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 208 – which changes certainprovisions of the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act (NCWHA). Employers should be aware of the following key changes:Employers must notify their employees, in writing at the time of hiring, of thepromised wages and the day and place for payment. Before […]

Mandatory Vaccines Are Coming

On Thursday, September 9, 2021, President Biden announced a new plan tocombat Covid-19. It mandates the Covid-19 vaccine for a select group ofemployers/employees, but the specific rules are forthcoming. Here’s thebreakdown:   Employers with 100+ employees The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) will announce a rule that will require all […]

$125 million awarded in EEOC disability discrimination case

A federal jury in Wisconsin recently awarded more than $125 million in punitive damagesto a former Walmart employee with Down syndrome. In its case against the retail giant,the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged Walmart failed toaccommodate the employee’s request to return to her original work schedule afterchanges caused her disability-related difficulty. Failure to […]

What are some hidden effects of COVID-19 on state and local taxes?

Unlike the federal government, state and local governments generally must balance their operating budgets each year. COVID-19 continues to strain subnational revenue, and businesses are experiencing financial and compliance changes. Here are a few lesser-known impacts to businesses due to the pandemic. Remote workers – COVID-19 caused a huge transition into remote work, the remnants […]

Biden’s executive order on non-compete clauses: What you need to know

President Biden recently released an executive order directing the Federal TradeCommission (the “FTC”) to “curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and otherclauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility.” What does the executive order on non-competes say? The executive order is not a mandate. However, it encourages the FTC to ban what it […]

Companies Settle with EEOC in Racial Discrimination Lawsuit

The EEOC recently announced that a trucking business and its staffing agency willcollectively pay $2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment OpportunityCommission (EEOC). The EEOC alleged that the companies violated federal law by subjecting African Americanemployees to racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Specifically, it argued thatAfrican American employees were subjected to […]