WSBTV is reporting that a federal judge has awarded an Atlanta man $1.18 million as a result of his discrimination lawsuit against Fulton County. In 2012, a jury awarded Doug Carl, a former employee of the Fulton County Department of Human Services (“DHS”), $300,000 for back pay that he would…
Atlanta Employment Attorneys Blog
Wage and Hour Lawsuits Increase in 2012: A Report by Your Atlanta Employment Lawyers
The National Economic Research Associates (“NERA”) recently released a report indicating that wage and hour lawsuits and settlements have increased in 2012 across the United States. According to NERA’s report on LawyersandSettlements.com, employers paid, on average, 18% more to settle wage and hour disputes in 2012 than they did in…
Most Women Still Feel Discrimination in the Workplace: Your Atlanta Employment Lawyer Reports
Although many things have changed in American society over the past 15 years, views on gender inequality in the workplace haven’t seemed to change too significantly. According to moneytalksnews.com, a poll of 1,000 conducted this April by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal found that little had changed since…
Age Discrimination Laws and How They Affect You
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), age discrimination occurs when an employee or an applicant for employment is treated less favorably due to his or her age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) is the federal law that governs age discrimination in the United…
11th Circuit Rules in Favor of Employee Asserting Equal Pay Act Violation Claim: An Update from Your Georgia Employment Attorney
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit recently reversed a district court ruling in the case of Edwards v. Fulton County, Georgia, et al., finding that Edwards had a valid claim under the Equal Pay Act, Atlanta employment attorneys report. The Equal Pay Act is a federal law…
Sequestration Cuts Short Federal Extended Unemployment Benefits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the current federal government sequestration will begin adversely affecting federal extended unemployment benefits for unemployed workers in Georgia and across the United States. Regular state unemployment benefits will not be affected by the sequestration, but extended benefits funded by the federal government will be…
Clearwater Paper to Lay Off 150 Thomaston Workers
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Clearwater Paper Corp. has announced its plans to close a Thomaston tissue converting and distribution facility, a move which will affect approximately 150 workers, Georgia employment lawyers report. The Thomaston plant is located in Upson County, about an hour and a half south of…
Salary Issues: The Professional Exemption under the FLSA
Although minimum wage and overtime pay regulations apply to most employees in the United States, there remain certain employees that are exempt from both. Section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) notes exemptions for professional, executive, administrative, and outside sales employees. Certain computer employees are also exempt under…
Waiving Overtime Rights
While a 40 hour workweek is considered standard practice in the United States, many employees often go above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to meet deadlines, make a positive impression, or get ahead. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are obligated to provide…
Safeguarding Tipped Employees
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) outlines a number of requirements regarding the payment of employees who regularly receive over $30 per month in tips. According to these requirements, tips are to remain property of the employee and cannot be confiscated by an employer except in cases where a tip…