NLRB: McDonald's Is Joint Employer With Franchisees
September 02, 2014
Richard Griffin Jr., general counsel of the NLRB, brought a new meaning to the phrase "Big Mac Attack" that could frighten franchisors across the country by threatening to jointly charge McDonald's USA over alleged workplace violations at its franchisees' stores. And his expansion of parent liability could spread beyond fast-food chains to other industries.
Employees Can Decline Qualifying Leave Under the FMLA
September 02, 2014
As a result, an employer can insist on designating leave as FMLA if it has reason to believe it qualifies, and then can retroactively remove the designation (to the benefit of the employee) if it turns out the leave was not qualifying. The bell can be "unrung," but only if it benefits the employee.
Collecting Social Security Numbers
September 02, 2014
In the first half of 2014, at least 96 significant data breaches were reported, compromising more than 2.2 million records. Of these breaches, at least 46 involved records that may have contained Social Security Numbers (SSNs). What the affected businesses may not know is that the mere collection of SSNs may have put them in violation of state laws, in addition to the liability they may now face for having failed to protect the SSN information.
The EU 'Right to Be Forgotten' Google Judgment
August 02, 2014
In mid-May, the European Union's highest court, the European Court of Justice, handed down a controversial landmark ruling in a matter commonly referred to as the "right to be forgotten" case, concerning Google. Here's what it means to U.S. businesses.
Immigration Compliance
August 02, 2014
With the dire and obvious need for immigration reform and the equally obvious slow move toward adopting a comprehensive solution, some companies choose to put immigration compliance on the back burner. Bad idea.
SEC Narrowly Adopts Money Market Fund Reforms
August 02, 2014
Years of debate between regulators and the securities industry dating back to the financial crisis came to an end on July 23 when the SEC narrowly approved rules aimed at lessening the risk of investor runs on money market funds.
Collecting Social Security Numbers
August 02, 2014
The mere collection of SSNs may put businesses in violation of state laws, in addition to the liability they may face for failing to protect the SSN information.