Employment Law Blog

So you have non-compete agreements in place. Are they still enforceable?

You’ve assessed your company’s needs and have figured out that you have key personnel who should have non-compete agreements.  You’ve had your lawyers draw up reasonable agreements, you’ve offered consideration in the form of new employment or a promotion, and your employees signed.  All is well, right? More >

Pregnancy Discrimination

In preparing for a recent mediation, I learned that that there has not been a verdict for a plaintiff presenting a pregnancy discrimination case in Kentucky for fifteen years.  That, however, does not mean that the cause of action is dead.  Employers should remain cognizant that the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits employers from discriminating against female employees for “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions”. In fact, since the Hall v. Nalco Co. decision was rendered by the 7^th Circuit in 2008, Courts have consistently interpreted “related medical conditions” to include pre-pregnancy procedures such as in vitro fertilization procedures. Protecting yourself from a discrimination claim in this context may present unique difficulties as an employers’ institutional knowledge of an employee’s medical condition may depend on the degree to which an employee feels comfortable disclosing the reason for her medical treatment to her supervisor.  Of course, employers who intend to take either an active or passive adverse employment action against a female employee must be prepared to articulate a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for the adverse employment action.  Employers should keep in mind that an adverse employment decision based upon a female’s medical condition, or absence from work due to an unspecified medical condition, could result in the first favorable verdict for a Plaintiff alleging pregnancy discrimination in recent memory.

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This article does not constitute legal advice.

New NLRB Report on Employer’s Social Media Policies

On May 30, 2012, General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a report focusing exclusively on employer social media policies for employees. The report contains seven total cases and found that six of the cases had some lawful provisions, and only one case had a social media policy that was entirely lawful. In general, social media policy provisions are unlawful where they interfere with the rights of employees under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), such as the right to discuss working conditions and wages with other employees. In light of this new report, now is a great time to review your social media policy. McBrayer PLLC can assist you with your social media policy needs to help ensure compliance with the NLRA.

Services may be performed by others.

This article does not constitute legal advice.