Employment Law Goals for the New Year

As we enter 2019, Gold Star Law would like to suggest some employment law–related resolutions for 2019.

Employment law resolution for employees

For employees, our biggest suggestion for an employment law resolution for 2019 is to find out if something that is bothering you at work is really illegal. So many people have issues at work that they deal with on a daily basis- some are minor nuisances, and some make employees absolutely miserable. Now, you probably know that a lot of things that might bother someone at work are not illegal. If you have an annoying coworker, or have to deal with difficult customers, or just don’t like getting up early to get to the office on time, there probably is not much we can do about it. However, many people are dealing with issues that are illegal, such as sexual harassment, race discrimination, or unpaid overtime, on a daily basis.

If there is something going on at work that is bothering you, take the first steps towards finding out if there is something you can do about it by calling Gold Star Law. One free, confidential phone call is all it takes to find out if there is something we can do to help you with your workplace problem.

Employment law resolution for employers

For employers, our suggestion for a 2019 employment law resolution is to get in compliance and to get ahead. Many employers genuinely do not know that they are doing something illegal, especially when it comes to proper pay practices. An honest mistake like not knowing how to handle proper time keeping or factoring in a bonus incorrectly when paying overtime can cost you tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands or millions, in legal fees. Paying employees improperly, especially when it comes to overtime pay, could result in paying the actual unpaid overtime, an equal amount to the unpaid overtime as “liquidated damages,” ALL of the employees’ costs and attorney fees, and your own attorney fees on top of everything. It is much, much better for an employer to learn the law and pay employees properly the first time.

Employment law resolution for Congress

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or “ENDA,” is proposed legislation that has been on the table in the United States Congress since 1994, but has not yet been passed. The most recent version of the bill would prohibit private employers with more than 15 employees from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (with an exception for religious organizations). ENDA has been voted upon several times, most recently passing in the Senate in 2013, but has not yet made it through both chambers of Congress and signed into law.

Gold Star Law wishes all of you nothing but the best in 2019. Happy New Year!