Category Archives: Columbus Employment Attorney
Best Practices for Reopening Your Business
While many Ohio businesses can reopen, there are still precautions to consider as cases of coronavirus are still being reported. If you are a business owner who is trying to balance employee safety and local guidelines, you may be seeking advice. Some of the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) follow…. Read More »
Do I Need to Hire an Ohio Employment Lawyer?
Are you wondering if you would benefit from a discussion with an Ohio employment attorney? If the question is on your mind, chances are you could use legal guidance. Employment lawyers can help businesses navigate employment laws and government regulations, which can help in avoiding litigation in the future. And employees can learn their… Read More »
What ADA Protections Do I Have at My Ohio Job?
Are you aware of the protections you have under the American with Disability Act (ADA)? The ADA is in place to protect workers from discrimination. It ensures access to government services, public transportation, commercial stores, transportation, and telecommunications. The act stops employers from discriminating against workers with disabilities. Which Employers Are Required to Follow… Read More »
Can Individuals Continue Unemployment Instead of Returning to Work?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment claims have skyrocketed, with reports of over 36 million U.S. workers filing for benefits since the middle of March. Some of these workers were laid off permanently while others were furloughed, a term that suggests an employee may be able to return to their position when economic conditions… Read More »
Is It Legal to Fire Someone for a Social Media Post?
For many, social media is a way to connect with their coworkers, friends, family members, and individuals with shared interests. Because the platforms are a way to share news, it is natural for pictures of work celebrations or descriptions of what happened during a work day to be posted on social media. But, there… Read More »
Workers Returning After Stay-at-Home Orders
As states ease out of stay-at-home orders, there are concerns on how employees will safely return to their workspaces. Understanding all of the local and federal requirements for reopening and implementing precautions presents a challenge to both employees and employers. Understanding requirements and following all of the needed steps to secure a workforce can… Read More »
Gay and Transgendered Workers Can No Longer be Discriminated Against Based on Their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
In a victory for equal rights of all persons regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, Title VII now makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against gay and transgendered workers. Employers can no longer discrimination against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Supreme Court, in a groundbreaking 6-3… Read More »
Employee Questions About COVID-19
As employees return to workplaces, there have been many questions. While each situation is unique, there are a handful of topics that are returned to again and again, such as protective gear compliance and child care. For guidance on your circumstance and how it is impacting your job in Ohio, talk to a Columbus… Read More »
Do Ohio Employees Get Paid for Meal Breaks?
If you work at an Ohio workplace but are not getting paid for breaks, you might be unsure if the practice is legal or not. According to federal law, if an employer gives an employee a rest that is 20 minutes or less, it should be paid. But, the state of Ohio does not… Read More »
Injuries While Working from Home
More and more people are working from home. But what if someone is injured? Work-related injuries are typically covered by workers’ compensation and this can also be applicable when a person is not physically in the office. For example, the compensation covers injuries that happen when visiting a client’s place of work or on… Read More »
What If I Signed an Ohio Non-Compete Agreement?
People are often excited when they start a new position. Looking forward to the challenges and rewards ahead, they may sign a pile of paperwork on their first day. Sometimes they are not fully reading every document they sign. One of the items might be a non-compete agreement or non-solicitation agreement. Then, as time… Read More »
Have You Reviewed Your Ohio Employment Agreement?
If you have been asked to sign an employment contract, you likely have a few questions about what you are agreeing to. The agreements are in place so there is an understanding of the conditions and terms of employment between the employer and employee. The document may help if there is ever a dispute…. Read More »
Indicators of a Hostile Work Environment
Sometimes work environments become hostile over time. And often there are indicators the company culture is shifting. This can be seen within businesses that are overlooking unacceptable conflicts between staff, coworkers, and supervisors. Hostile work environments are bad for a business as many employees leave their positions or take sick days to avoid hostility…. Read More »
Final Paychecks under Ohio Law
If you are leaving a position because you were fired, you may be wondering when your final paycheck will be disbursed. Unfortunately for Ohio employees, the state of Ohio does not have a statute in place that stipulates a business must immediately pay a person who is fired from a job. Instead, there is… Read More »
Age Discrimination In the American Workplace
In the United States, the population is aging. This is seen in a census bureau report that predicts a rise in the median age of Americans. The current median age is 38 years old, by the year 2030 the median age is projected to rise to 40 years old. Add this information to the… Read More »
Am I an Employee or an Independent Contractor?
With more and more people having ongoing yet temporary work with organizations, it can lead to individuals wondering if they are independent contractors or an employee. These classifications matter. They impact your benefit eligibility, your compensation or pay, taxes, and more. The nature of your relationship with your employer can change over time, too…. Read More »
Common Minimum Wage Violations
Wage laws are often violated. This can happen directly or indirectly. If an employer pays you less than the minimum wage, that is a violation. In another situation, a pay rate in excess of the minimum wage rate may be paid but that rate is reduced by improper deductions, that would be an indirect… Read More »
Legal Protections for At-Will Employees
Ohio is an at-will employment state. What this means is that the relationship between the employer and the employee may be terminated, by either party, at any time. Unless, of course, there is a contract or law that states this termination is not legal. At-will employees do have certain legal protections under the law…. Read More »
Can My Ohio Employer Ask Me to Take a Drug Test?
If your Ohio employer has asked you to take a drug test, you may be wondering if the request is legal. The answer is yes. Many employees can legally be asked to take drug tests. This includes a lot of federal employees. Some of these federal employees are law enforcement officers or work within… Read More »
Changing Climates Surround Workplace Romances
It is not a new phenomenon for individuals to date others in their workplaces. But the climate around interoffice romances has changed. There are examples of this in large corporations such as McDonald’s, where the CEO was terminated because of poor judgement in pursuing a romantic relationship. The employee was supervised by the CEO…. Read More »
