Category Archives: Uncategorized

Multistate Monday: Mastering Voting Leave Laws—Is Your Company Ready for Election Day?



In this episode of our Multistate Monday podcast series, Dee Anna Hays (co-chair of the firm’s Multistate Advice and Counseling Practice Group) and Susan Gorey take on the timely topic of voting and election leave laws, as well as other related issues that may arise during this busy political season. Susan and Dee Anna review a wide range of state law requirements relating to paid and unpaid leave for voting, and associated posting and timing requirements. They also provide important reminders about the National Labor Relations Act’s protections of political speech and the EEOC’s guidance on anti-harassment.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Puerto Rico Employment Law Particularities



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Carlos Colón-Machargo (Atlanta) and Maya Barba (San Francisco) discuss the specific aspects of Puerto Rican employment laws. Maya and Carlos cover statutory entitlements and protections for employees, whether exempt or non-exempt, including “just cause” terminations, required probationary periods, mandatory holiday bonuses, and fully paid maternity leave. The speakers also address the four mandatory employment policies recently implemented in Puerto Rico covering (1) domestic violence, (2) sexual harassment, (3) sexual orientation and gender identity, and (4) anti-bullying.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: IP Assignments Around the World



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Goli Rahimi (Chicago) and Lina Fernandez (Boston) discuss global intellectual property (IP) assignment policies for an international workforce. The speakers discuss logistical considerations for different types of IP that are assigned or created, including ownership rights and compensation, validity and enforceability of the assignments, types of rights that can or cannot be transferred, choice of law provisions, and more.


Implications of the 2024 Elections on Immigration: Projections and Analysis



In this podcast, Meagan Dziura (of counsel, Raleigh) sits down with Jim Plunkett (shareholder, Washington), who is the chair of the firm’s Governmental Affairs Practice Group, to discuss how the outcome of the upcoming election could impact business immigration for employers. Jim and Meagan address the status of pending immigration regulations proposed by the current administration and explore whether these proposals will succeed or fail depending on who is “holding the pen” for the next four years. They also cover the varying roles and potential impacts of regulatory agencies, Congress, and the courts on future immigration policy.


Safety Basics VI: Employer and Employee Rights During OSHA Inspections



In this installment of our Safety Basics podcast series, Frank Davis (Dallas) and John Surma (Houston) discuss employer and employee rights during an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection. John and Frank discuss employee rights, such as (1) the right to speak to OSHA inspectors without fear of retaliation or retribution by their employer; (2) the right to complain about work; (3) the right to refuse to work; (4) the right to information; (5) the right to participate in OSHA inspections; (6) the right to a workplace that is free from recognized hazards; and (7) the right to organize and form a union. They also cover employer rights, such as (1) the right to a reasonable inspection; (2) the right to representation during interviews of management employees; (3) the right not to perform work or engage in demonstrations of processes during an OSHA inspection; (4) the right to continue operating after a fatality or catastrophe; (5) the right to protect trade secrets or proprietary information from public disclosure; and (6) the right to establish the “unpreventable employee misconduct defense.”


Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region: OSHA Injury Recording Dashboard



In this installment of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders Frank Davis (Dallas) and John Surma (Houston) discuss the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new Severe Injury Reports (SIR) dashboard. John and Frank review the evolution of workplace injury record-keeping and reporting requirements, including deadlines and penalties. They also cover how the SIR dashboard’s data collection, along with its increased availability and accessibility to the public, may impact employers.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: China’s Retirement System



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Lina Fernandez (Boston) discuss the retirement system in China and recent reforms that impact statutory retirement ages and the current workforce. Skye and Lina cover mandatory retirement ages, exceptions for early retirement applicants, and the requirements in the retirement process under China’s labor laws, as well as the company’s internal policies.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Key Changes to Australian Employment Law



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Diana Nehro (New York/Boston) and Goli Rahimi (Chicago) discuss some significant changes to employment law under Australia’s Closing Loopholes No. 2 Act. Goli and Diana address how the act affects workplace issues such as the right to disconnect, employee classification, employer penalties for noncompliance, and the definition of “casual employee.”


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Employer of Record and Master Service Agreements



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Patty Shapiro (San Diego) discuss key considerations for companies that use employers of record (EORs) in other countries. Patty and Skye highlight five areas of importance in the master service agreement (MSA): (1) extension of confidentiality obligations to workers, (2) protection of the company’s intellectual property rights, (3) data privacy considerations, (4) mutual indemnification, and (5) limitation of liability.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: How Japan Is Tackling Death From Overwork



In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Goli Rahimi (Chicago) discuss high-level considerations and workstyle reform laws for overtime work in Japan. Goli and Skye cover limitations on overtime work, such as Article 36 written agreements, time-tracking obligations, exemptions for certain employees, and penalties for non-compliance.