Blog Posts: Employment

The #metoo movement has many employers worried about protecting their employees from discrimination and harassment. Employers often ask what they should be doing to prevent discrimination in the workplace and how best to respond to complaints of discrimination or harassment. By following our 10 best ways to prevent and address discrimination in the workplace, emplo...

You’re young, embarking on a career and very attracted to a co-worker who flirts with you at your new job. You’re sure the two of you were made for each other and, after all, you’re only human. So, you boost the courage to ask him or her out to lunch, happy hour, or even dinner. You get along great. It’s the best “first date” yo...

Imagine this scenario: Your company is in Arizona and one of your sales representatives goes to work for a competitor. He knows all about your pricing and bidding practices, so he helps your competitor undercut your prices. He then calls all of your customers and offers discounted pricing while telling them about the many flaws in your organization. After successfu...

Many employees believe that they are entitled to a lunch break. However, the answer – and in some cases the law - differs by state. In Arizona, employees are not entitled to a lunch break or even a ten-minute break because neither Arizona law nor the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) requires employers to provide such breaks. The FLSA, however, does require ...

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires covered employers to pay all non-exempt employees the federal minimum wage. It also requires covered employers to pay non-exempt employees 1.5 times their regular rate for any overtime hours, which are defined as any hour worked in excess of 40 hours in a seven-day workweek. The FLSA is complex, and it is not always easy...

Employment law changes and evolves. Best practice for employers is to have an experienced employment attorney review and update their employee handbook to be in compliance with labor laws. At a minimum, the following areas need to be addressed to have an up-to-date employee handbook for Arizona employers. Proposition 203, Arizona Medical Marijuana Act In November...

Success doesn’t make you happy – happiness makes you successful.    Numerous studies show that employees who are happy and feel respected at work are significantly more productive and less likely to look for new employment. Unfortunately, many employees are not happy at work. They are fearful of management and/or each other. There is no sense of “team.” ...

Recently the hot topic in employment law is the widespread misclassification of employees as independent contractors. The courts and the Department of Labor (DOL) have steadily turned up the heat on employers who misclassify independent contractors as employees.  Typically, an independent contractor status is assigned to avoi...

On May 23, 2017, the Arizona Industrial Commission issued a new FAQ concerning Arizona’s new paid sick time law (the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act). The new FAQ attempts to address many of the issues that were not previously addressed in the Industrial Commission’s FAQ. We will explain the following Q&A and detail four key areas of concern if an Arizo...

Previously, we addressed eight common questions that employers have about Arizona’s new paid sick time (“PST”) law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2017. As the law is complex, we are answering seven of the more difficult, and possibly thorny, questions about the new PST law.  1. Does the new PST law apply to salaried employees who are exempt under the F...