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Employment Contracts

OC Register settles independent contractor suit for $22 million

02/24/2009

The Orange County Register recently agreed to pay $22 million to settle a class action brought by its paper carriers, who claimed the newspaper misclassified them as independent contractors rather than employees. The settlement will bring to an end a two-month trial against the newspaper.

Do you use an arbitration clause? Make sure you can prove employees agreed

02/24/2009

Employers that use arbitration clauses can often get lawsuits sent to an arbitrator for faster and less expensive resolution—but only if they are prepared to prove that their employees agreed to arbitration.

Obama signs 3 union-supported executive orders

02/19/2009

Following through on his promises to labor unions—strong financial supporters of his presidential campaign—President Obama recently signed a trio of pro-employee executive orders that undo Bush administration policies.

Heading to bargaining table? Review contract language before changing benefits

02/12/2009

If your organization has a collective-bargaining agreement with a union, make sure you check with counsel before you make any changes to benefits. In some cases, promises made in past contracts—such as a promise to provide retiree health benefits—may be a binding, vested promise that cannot be undone, at least for those who have already qualified.

Last-chance agreements put employers on sure footing

02/12/2009

If you offer last-chance agreements instead of immediately firing employees, you can impose seemingly draconian measures without worrying about a lawsuit. If you later terminate an employee for violating agreement terms, most courts will take your side.

How do courts approach enforcement of noncompete agreements?

02/12/2009

Q. My company requires new employees to sign a two-year noncompete agreement. Are such agreements enforceable?

Make agreements truly a last chance: It’s OK to forbid appeals or challenges

02/05/2009

If you want to give an employee one last chance to fly right, you can use a so-called “last chance agreement.” Such contracts can be used, for example, to set the terms for being drug or alcohol free and submitting to random testing. Last-chance agreements can even include tough terms

Fired health CEO sues

02/05/2009

Carmen Morano, former president and CEO of Bloomfield-based health insurance company PerfectHealth, has sued the insurer, alleging it illegally fired him in May 2008.

What’s the best way to legally limit the length of leaves of absences?

02/02/2009

Q. How do we handle an employee who is on an indefinite leave of absence and does not know when he will be able to return to work?

Rely on union contract terms when working out disability accommodations

01/16/2009

Dealing with a labor union has its headaches, but figuring out how to deal with disability accommodations isn’t one of them. The fact is, having a collective-bargaining contract in place can make that easier.