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Articles posted by Hans Murphy

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10 Jan The DOL Just Flipped Its Position on Paying Interns

Employment Lessons, Fair Labor Standards Act | Hans Murphy

  Late last week, the DOL effectively revamped the standards for unpaid interns, reversing a rule that had been in place since 2010 and giving private, for-profit employers whiplash.   The FLSA does not define “intern.” However, “[a] person whose work serves only his own interest” is not considered to be “an employee of another person who gives him aid and instruction.”  Walling v. Portland Terminal Co., 330 U.S. 148, 152 (1947).   2010 DOL Standard   The DOL upended that long-standing rule in 2010…

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04 Dec Holiday Road – Avoiding Potholes in Holiday Parties

Employment Lessons | Hans Murphy

  Well, it’s already December (where did the year go?) and we’re all thinking about the most wonderful time of year – cutting out early and going to office parties! Parties are a great way to reward staff, celebrate accomplishments, foster teamwork, and create the foundation for another great year. What could possibly go wrong?   The annual holiday party is rife with traps for the unwary:   What’s in a Name?   For starters, what do you call the event? How about a “Christmas…

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24 Oct Dawn of a New ICE Age: Are You Ready for Immigration & Customs Enforcement?

Employment Lessons | Hans Murphy

  Last week, in a speech at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that his agency is aggressively stepping up worksite enforcement on two major fronts. His announcement raises the question: is your company ready?   ICE Acting Director Tom Homan told attendees that the Homeland Security Investigations agency will increase – by four to five times – the worksite enforcement actions in the coming year. Quintupling the number of worksite enforcement actions certainly sounds…

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12 Sep California Dreaming: Court Upholds Restrictions in Employment Agreement, Bars Use of Confidential Information

Noncompetes and Trade Secrets | Hans Murphy

  As most multi-state employers already know, California is inimical to employer-employee non-compete agreements; indeed, the state even has a statute saying as much. Consequently, many employers tend to surrender before imposing any restrictions on departing workers in California. But, there’s hope. A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC v. Brett Rocine, Case No. 17-cv-4993-PJH) provides some solace for businesses trying to fend off competition from faithless employees in the Golden State.   The…

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25 Aug Get a Room! Rethink Conducting Employee Reviews Over Lunch

Employment Lessons | Hans Murphy

  The other day while visiting my dentist, the oral hygienist told me about her prior job, where her supervisor took her out to lunch to discuss her performance review – and frequently did the same with other employees. She thought this was great, especially since the supervisor had a penchant for really good, high-priced seafood.   While that all sounds tasty, one has to question how effective a performance review can be when attempting to crack open crab legs. This brings me back to…

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