Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Detecting Hostile Work Environment at Your Florida Employer
You are probably familiar with the concept of workplace discrimination, but some details on recognizing it and taking action provide additional insight. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines discrimination as treating an employee differently or adversely because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, or other protected characteristics. Harassment is a type… Read More »
How to Collect Evidence for a Whistleblower Claim
Whistleblower claims are one of the most effective tools for rooting out fraud against the government, encouraging those with knowledge of misconduct to bring it to the attention of proper authorities. To reward them for their efforts, laws like the Federal False Claims Act (FCA) pay a reward for providing information that uncovers fraudulent… Read More »
Florida’s Minimum Wage Increase September 30, 2023
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was enacted in 1938 to address a number of workplace injustices, and some of the key provisions relate to wages, hours, and overtime. One of the most important is the establishment of a minimum wage, but the statute allows for individual states to set a higher rate. Florida… Read More »
What Are Protected Activities in Florida Employment Law?
As they become more familiar with their rights under US and Florida employment laws, employees are engaged and proactive in terms of treatment by employers. For instance, most workers are aware that they have legal remedies under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act if they are subjected to discrimination. When you suffer mistreatment… Read More »
How Much is a Florida Sexual Harassment Claim Worth?
It is surprising that sexual harassment is still a problem, especially because Florida employers know that they expose themselves to massive liability for violating employment laws. If you suffered hostile environment or quid pro quo sexual harassment, you do have rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. You may qualify to recover… Read More »
EEOC Guidance on AI and Employment Discrimination
Artificial intelligence is controversial for many reasons, but it is here to stay and will affect lives in many ways. Florida companies are investing in AI to assist with workplace tasks, which could impact employment matters. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued recent guidance on the topic, stating that handing over hiring and… Read More »
Do I Get Paid When My Employer Makes Me Come in Early?
Many hourly workers in Florida dread the times when their employer asks them to come in early, whether it is just one day or as part of the regular workday routine. It may just be a few minutes or up to an hour, just a short time compared to the full shift in the… Read More »
What To Do if You Were Subjected to Race Discrimination at Work
Like many Florida employees, you know that race discrimination in the workplace persists, but you probably do not think it could happen to you. Unfortunately, mistreatment on account of race is a serious problem. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) receives around 22,500 charges every year claiming racial discrimination, which amounts to more… Read More »
Disparate Treatment v. Disparate Impact in Florida Sex Discrimination Claims
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from workplace discrimination on account of many different protected characteristics, and sex is one of them. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) clarifies that it is unlawful for employers to treat workers differently because of sex, which includes pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity…. Read More »
Proposed Rule to Extend Overtime for Florida Exempt Employees
Basic overtime laws established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) require employers to pay 1.5 times an employee’s regular wages when they work more than 40 hours in a work week. However, there are specific rules on who qualifies for overtime, regardless of the time spent working. Some employees are exempt based upon… Read More »