Public School Did Not Discriminate Based On Religion By Requiring High School Teachers To Address Students By Preferred Names And Pronouns

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
04/14/2023
Brownsburg Community School Corporation (“Brownsburg” or the “School”) is a public school corporation in Brownsburg, Indiana.  Its high school teachers are required to call all students by the names and pronouns registered in the School’s official student database.  John Kluge, the sole music and orchestra teacher at Brownsburg High School, objected on religious grounds to using the first names of transgender students to the extent that...
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ALJ Finds Employer Violated Federal Law By Reinstating Employee Subject To A Last Chance Agreement Containing A Broad Non-Disparagement Provision

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
04/13/2023
The recent case Challenge Mfg. Holdings, Inc., Case 07-CA-286573 (2023), demonstrates how some judges may apply the National Labor Relations Board’s recent decision in McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023), which held that an overly broad non-disparagement provision in a severance agreement was unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (the “Act”). The provision at issue in McLaren Macomb prohibited employees who accepted severance from...
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The Limits of the FLSA Exemption for “Learned Professionals”

Vincent Jackson
Vincent Jackson
04/06/2023
When flying, many passengers have experienced that moment of turbulence, that disconcerting jolt of the aircraft.  During the precious seconds that follow, you may have offered a quick prayer that the pilot draw on his years of experience, education and expertise to guide the plane to safety.  You may have additionally marveled that any human being could exert control over an object as large and complex as a commercial jet.  Small wonders,...
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Maryland Court Reins in Appeal Rights From MCCR Determinations

Every person who claims to be discriminated against by an employer has the right to have that charge examined by the Maryland Commission for Civil Rights (MCCR). The claims of charging parties are fully investigated by the MCCR, including procedures to obtain documents, data and testimony.  That process includes an appeal within the MCCR, and the right to seek further review in the Maryland Circuit Court system.  Employers confronted with charges...
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Employers: Probably How Not to Win a FMLA Case

Darrell VanDeusen
Darrell VanDeusen
04/05/2023
It’s that time of year when I update my treatise on FMLA/Wage & Hour Law (available as a part of the Labor and Employment Law multi-volume series published by Lexis/ Nexis).  But enough gratuitous self-promotion.  The FMLA turns 30 years old this year.  It remains hard to argue with the Congressional intent of a desire to “balance workplace and family.”   And, as FMLA jurisprudence has matured over the years, there are now not many...
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“Most Qualified” v. ADA Accommodation: Who Wins?

Anyone who has engaged in the ADA’s interactive process to provide a “qualified individual with a disability” (meaning that the individual has a “mental or physical impairment” that “substantially limits one or more major life activities”) with a “reasonable accommodation” that does not involve an “undue hardship” to enable them to perform the “essential functions of the job” knows just how challenging that task can be....
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Are Kids the Key to Solving the Hiring Crisis?

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
03/31/2023
Since the beginning of the pandemic, certain industries have been hit hard by employees resigning in search of greener pastures – work/life balance and flexible work.  Quit rates were high in industries including the retail, restaurant, and hospitality.  While some businesses and industries have seen a rebound in hiring, hiring in those industries appear to be stagnant.  While incentives such as signing bonuses have been used to attract new...
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An Eye to the Future and a Finger on the Pulse of Technology - Biometric Data Regulations

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
03/28/2023
The Maryland legislature introduced House Bill 33: Biometric Data Privacy Act (the Act).   The Act defines “Biometric data” as data generated by automatic measurements of the biological characteristics of an individual, such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an eye retina, an eye iris, or any other unique biological patterns or characteristics, that is used to identify a specific individual. Not included is a physical or digital photograph, a...
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“Preserve” Your Constitutional Rights, But Not Against A Private Employer

The world is seemingly going back to pre-Covid normalcy.  Masks, while still present some places, no longer litter the trashcans outside grocery stores and restaurants.  People are taking a big breath of fresh air, and not just six feet from someone. Nevertheless, litigation concerning Covid and company policies regarding the vaccine linger in courts around the U.S.  One such case has seemingly come to an end and the company is out of a...
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Third Circuit Rules Docking PTO Under Production Standard Does Not Run Afoul Of FLSA Exemption

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
03/20/2023
On March 15, 2023, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion of first impression in Higgins v. Bayada Home Health Care, Inc., Case No.: 21-3286, ___ F.4th ___ (Mar. 15, 2023), affirming the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania decision granting summary judgment in favor of Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. (“Bayada”).  The issue in this case was whether Bayada’s practice of docking accrued paid time off...
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