The New Hampshire Legislature is hard at work addressing a variety of proposed bills which would impact the states’s workplaces, large and small. On January 28, the Senate Commerce Committee rejected on a 4 to 1 vote the first of those bills on which a recommendation was made. SB 302, entitled “An Act Relative
NH DOL’s Top 10 Labor Law Violations from 2013
The start of a new year is always a good time for employers to review their HR policies. As part of this process, employers can conduct self-audits of their wage and hour 
practices to determine compliance with the law. The NH Department of Labor just recently posted the top ten most common labor law violations
NLRB Pro-Union Poster Not Revived On Appeal
The National Labor Relations Board did not appeal to the US Supreme Court two federal court decisions invalidating the NLRB’s Notice Posting Rule. The rule would have required many private employers to display a pro-union notice of employee rights in the workplace. This means most employers can now shelve the posters they printed in 2011.
2013’s Most Ridiculous Excuses for Calling in Sick – Just When You Thought You’ve Heard Them All
Have you ever gotten lost on the way to work and found yourself in another state or had your car swarmed by bees so that you just couldn’t get to work? Some employees have 
had those days and called in sick from work.
CareerBuilder’s annual survey on absenteeism in the workplace reveals some of the
Prompt Remedial Action Shields Employer From Employee’s Harassment Claims But Not From Retaliation
Even when an employer takes prompt remedial action to defeat a sexual harassment claim, it may still be liable for retaliation. A NH employer was reminded of this recently in Rand v. Town of Exeter (11-CV-55-PB) (10/2/13).
Brenda Rand worked as a solid waste transfer operator for the Town’s Highway Department. Rand alleged that a
IRS Issues Additional Guidance Related to Refunds of Employer-Paid Taxes Paid On Imputed Income for Same-Sex Spouse Benefits
On September 23, 2013, the IRS released Notice 2013-61 which provides special rules for employers making claims for refunds or adjustments of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and federal employment taxes resulting from the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor. In Windsor, the Court found that Section 3 of the Defense of
Employers Liable Under Stored Communication Act
Employers frequently access and review data created or stored by employees on company-owned electronic devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets (iPad), and cellphones (iPhone, Droid and 
Blackberry). Well-crafted technology and social media policies specifically authorize employers to do so. But, if not careful, employers can step over the line between permissible conduct and conduct that
Massachusetts Chapter 151B Encompasses Associational Discrimination on Basis of Handicap
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has held an employer is prohibited from discriminating against its non-disabled employee based on that employee’s association with an immediate family member with a disability or handicap under Chapter 151B, the state’s antidiscrimination law. This decision expands the scope of employer liability.
Vance v. Ball State University
The US Supreme Court in the case of Vance v. Ball State University issued on June 24, 2013 decided the question of who qualifies as a “supervisor” in a Title VII claim of harassment based on race. The decision has been anxiously awaited because it impacts the standard by which an employer’s liability will be
Is Work Going to the Dogs?
Many dog lovers think their job, and their job performance, would be better if they could bring their pet to work. And there are studies that show that allowing dogs in the workplace reduces stress – resulting in happier and even more productive
and efficient employees – and even increased teamwork.
So every office should