New Ohio Law Eases Liability Burden for Motor Carriers
- June 22, 2016 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
Effective March 23, 2016, Ohio became the 43rd state to enact a law that prohibits certain types of indemnity agreements in motor carrier transportation contracts. Ohio Revised Code §2305.52 now prohibits provisions in motor carrier transportation contracts that purport to…
4 Practical Steps for Employers to Defend Against Wrongful Termination Lawsuits
- June 5, 2016 | By Matthew M. Ries | Business & Employment
Many employers find themselves defenseless against wrongful termination lawsuits. Here are four strategies an employer should consider to protect itself against such lawsuits and minimize liability at trial.
Steps for Employers to Address Workplace Violence
- February 9, 2016 | By Kevin P. Murphy | Business & Employment
Recent tragedies around the country have focused attention on workplace violence. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 600 people per year are killed as a result of violence in the workplace. While many workplace violence events simply…
3 Takeaways from Landmark EEOC Ruling in Sexual Orientation Case
- August 24, 2015 | By Matthew M. Ries | Business & Employment
A July ruling by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in a case alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation will require employers to take a fresh look at their hiring practices and policies. Following the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling that…
U.S. Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Decision Impacts Ohio Employers
- June 26, 2015 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
On Friday, June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio Dept. of Health, and held that laws, including Ohio's, which exclude same sex couples from civil marriage on the same…
New Union Election Rules Force Employers to be More Proactive
- April 20, 2015 | By Patrick K. Wilson | Business & Employment
In December we saw the National Labor Relations Board continue its union-friendly pattern. The NLRB ruled in a case entitled “Purple Communications, Inc.” that employees may utilize their work e‑mails for organizing campaigns. More importantly, the Board announced several revisions…
New OSHA Rules Require Sound Plan To Report Accidents
- February 12, 2015 | By Matthew M. Ries | Business & Employment
Recent changes in federal laws covering workplace injury reporting make it more important for employers to have reliable systems for documenting and reporting serious accidents. Here are some recent examples of important changes in reporting laws: On September 11, the…
New OT Rules for Direct Care Workers Take Effect Jan. 1
- December 16, 2014 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
(Update 3/26/2015 : The new U.S. Department of Labor overtime regulations for direct care workers are being challenged in court. In January, a Federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia invalidated the new regulation. The…
Corporate Shield Law Offers Protection, But Has Some Exceptions
- November 17, 2014 | By Kevin P. Murphy | Business & Employment
It is well established that the Corporate Shield Doctrine applies in Ohio, operating to protect individual agents and employees from exposure to personal liability for acts committed in their employment capacities. The doctrine allows a corporate officer to avoid individual…
What Employers Should Know About Background Checks
- July 15, 2014 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
Many employers have background checks performed or perform background checks themselves on job applicants or employees when making decisions about hiring, retention and promotion. Background checks can include obtaining information about the person's work history, criminal record, education, financial history…