The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled that an expectant father had no right to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to travel out of state and prepare for his child’s birth. The case is Tanner v. Stryker Corporation of Michigan, 11th Cir., No. 22-14188 (June 20, 2024).
Tristan Tanner became an employee
Hall Benefits Law - Employment Law Blog
Blog Authors
Latest from Hall Benefits Law - Employment Law Blog
How Well-Constructed Dress Codes Can Promote Civility
While one may not automatically equate dress codes with workplace civility, dress codes do have a role in promoting a respectful and professional workplace culture. Conversely, a dress code policy can lead to discord among employees and even violate employees’ legal rights under some circumstances.
Employers may enforce job-related dress code policies that apply equally to all employees, regardless of…
Former Director Accuses Netflix of Creating Sexual Workplace Culture
A former risk management director has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the streaming service giant fostered a sexual workplace culture that subjected her to unwanted sexual advances. The case is Jessica Combs v. Netflix Inc., Case Number 24STCV18761, Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
Jessica Combs recently filed claims of discrimination,…
I.L. Federal Judge Approvals $9M White Castle Fingerprint BIPA Settlement
An Illinois federal district court judge has given final approval to a $9.39 million settlement in a lawsuit against White Castle by a group of employees who claimed that the company had violated their rights under the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The case is Latrina Cothron et al. v. White Castle System Inc. et al., Case Number 1:19-cv-00382, U.S.…
Legislative Developments: Pregnancy and Nursing Protections for Employees
Employers should be aware of recent federal legislation that has created new rights for pregnant and nursing employees. Some states also have passed state legislation that creates new or additional rights that employers must follow, depending on the states in which they operate. What follows is a summary of new legislation that impacts pregnant and nursing employees in the workplace.…
Former NBCUniversal Worker Claims Termination Based on HIV Status
James Williams, an animation technician who had worked at Universal Studios Hollywood since 2022, has sued NBCUniversal under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Williams claims that after his employer reprimanded him for missing work due to illness, he was fired two days after submitting paperwork for intermittent leave under California’s Family Rights Act based on his HIV status. The…
Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of FMLA Retaliation Suit Based on Credibility Concerns
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the summary judgment dismissal of a former worker’s FMLA retaliation and interference case in favor of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., parent company Exelon Corp., and several individual employees. The Court ruled that the gas company’s suspicions of dishonesty concerning the former mechanic’s request for medical…
Jury Must Decide Factual Disputes in FMLA Violation Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently ruled that whether an employee failed to follow her employer’s procedures for requesting leave was due to “unusual circumstances” was a factual matter for the jury to decide. That factual question would determine whether the employee could sue the employer for violating the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The…
Federal Courts Reject Nationwide Injunction for New Overtime Rule
Although the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has blocked the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new overtime rule for Texas state employees, the initial salary threshold increases under the new rule went into full force and effect for the rest of the United States on July 1, 2024. The overtime rule raises the minimum salary threshold…
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Test
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old precedent in striking down the so-called “Chevron” test, which instructed courts when they should defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of law in rulemaking. In its 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court discarded the analysis first adopted in its 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, holding that the test improperly elevated the…