Jill Kirila

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WEBINAR July 23: Anti-Racism and the Workplace: Employment Challenges and Opportunities in the US

After the recent high-profile deaths of Black Americans due to police use of force, discussions of systemic racism are now front and center in all organizations. Please join Squire Patton Boggs partners Carmen Cole, Meghan Hill and Katharine Liao on Thursday, July 23 at 1 p.m. EDT for an open and candid discussion about the … Continue Reading

Venture Law Meetup Webinar June 5: COVID-19: Considerations for Getting Back to the Office (US)

Please join colleagues in our Venture Law Meetup Group for a monthly webinar on Friday June 5 at 9 am EDT. Matt Secrist will discuss considerations for getting back to the office in the COVID-19 pandemic. Register using this link. This complimentary webinar series aims to equip executive officers and founders of new start-ups with … Continue Reading

WEBINAR May 28: Mandatory COVID-19 Updates to Injury and Illness Prevention Programs for California Employers (US)

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued new guidelines for protecting workers as businesses expand activities during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines include updated control measures as well as specific topics which must be addressed in employers’ COVID-19 response plans and written Injury and Illness Prevention Programs. Not only could failure to … Continue Reading

Welcome Carmen Cole to our Los Angeles Office

We are excited to welcome Carmen Cole as a partner in our Labor & Employment practice in our Los Angeles office. Carmen works with employers to navigate complex employment law issues, providing advice and counseling to employers on workplace compliance, such as wage and hour laws, reductions in force, recruitment and hiring, employee classification, leave … Continue Reading

Looking for a Way to Save on Severance Costs? Why Not Consider a SUB Plan? (US)

US employers who pay severance benefits may realize substantial savings by structuring their severance payments under a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan. A SUB plan provides benefits similar to a traditional severance plan. Unlike traditional severance payments, benefits under a SUB plan are tied to the former employee’s receipt of state unemployment insurance (SUI) benefits … Continue Reading

DOL Issues Guidance, Clarifying Families First Coronavirus Response Act is Effective April 1 and Answering Some Open Questions (US)

While promising that the official regulations are still forthcoming, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has just issued additional guidance in the form of questions and answers for employers and employees regarding application of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These questions and answers – available here – include confirmation that the FFCRA’s paid … Continue Reading

Top 10 Employee Benefits Issues in a Slowing Economy (US)

The changes in the economy brought on by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), commonly known as the “coronavirus,” present challenges to employers trying to manage their greatest resource – employees. A cross-practice team involving our Tax Strategy & Benefits, Labor & Employment and Data Privacy & Security lawyers have published this alert that identifies some of … Continue Reading

ELW Contributors Dan Pasternak and Melissa Legault named National Law Review “Go-To Thought Leaders”

Congratulations to Squire Patton Boggs labor and employment attorneys and long-time Employment Law Worldview contributors Dan Pasternak and Melissa Legault, both of our Phoenix, Arizona office, for being selected by the National Law Review (NLR) as 2019 “Go-To Thought Leaders” for their consistent coverage of emerging employment and labor law issues.  The award spotlights 75 exceptional legal … Continue Reading

Compliance Now Required: New FCRA Summary of Rights Released (US)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a new FCRA “Summary of Rights” form, effective September 21, 2018. Employers that use consumer reporting agencies to conduct credit or background checks must let both job applicants and employees know their rights under the FCRA by providing this form along with the FCRA disclosure and authorization. Failure to … Continue Reading

Eyes and Ears on the FLSA – U.S. Department of Labor Issues New Opinion Letters and Schedules Public Listening Sessions (US)

On August 28, 2018, the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor (“WHD”) issued four new opinion letters interpreting various aspects of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  In addition, the WHD has announced plans to analyze and consider changes to the FLSA’s white collar overtime exemption regulations applicable to … Continue Reading

Welcome Katharine Liao

We are excited to welcome Katharine Liao as a partner to our Labor & Employment practice in our New York and Los Angeles offices. Her arrival plays into our firm’s continued investment in strengthening our employment capabilities, particularly in wage and hour class action litigation. Katharine will be a valuable asset on relevant issues for … Continue Reading

Holiday Party Tips to Ensure Too Much Cheer Does Not Turn Into a New Year’s Liability (US)

With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to assess your company’s upcoming holiday party, with the biggest concern being employee alcohol consumption. While there is no way to completely insulate your company from liability arising out of employer-sponsored holiday parties, other than a decision not to hold a holiday party all together … Continue Reading

Are Employers Going to be Required to Accommodate Medical Marijuana Use?

State-registered medical cannabis patients may now sue a private employer for discrimination under Massachusetts’ law if they are fired for their off-the-job marijuana use, according to landmark ruling issued July 17, 2017, by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Citing the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Act, the court states that patients shall not be denied “any right … Continue Reading

US Department of Labor Withdraws Obama-Era Interpretation Letters On Key Wage And Hour Issues

On June 7, 2017, the US Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew its 2015 Administrator’s Interpretation on “independent contractor” status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and its 2016 Administrator’s Interpretation for determining “joint employment” under the FLSA. The two guidance memos specifically were intended to increase liability for employers under the Fair Labor Standards … Continue Reading

Ninth Circuit Expands Reach of Dodd-Frank Anti-Retaliation Protections

Adding to an existing split among the federal appeals courts, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on March 8, 2017 that employees who make internal reports about suspected violations of the federal securities laws and other anti-fraud statutes are covered by the “whistleblower” protections of the Dodd-Frank Act (Dodd-Frank), even if … Continue Reading

Welcome New US Labor & Employment Team Members

We are excited to welcome two lawyers to the Squire Patton Boggs US Labor & Employment practice group – Jeffrey Schagren and Joe D’Andrea. Jeff and Joe bring broad labor and employment experience to the firm and add substantial expertise to our counseling and advocacy services.  Jeff joins us as Of Counsel in our Dallas, Texas office, … Continue Reading

Ohio Employer Alert: Weapons Policy Review Needed; No Local Sick Leave

During the December lame duck session, the Ohio legislature passed SB 199. Among other things, the law provides that a business entity, property owner, or public or private employer may not establish, maintain, or enforce a policy or rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting a person who has been issued a valid concealed … Continue Reading

Webinar: Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016

President Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA), S. 1890, into law on May 11, 2016. The DTSA creates the first-ever federal civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. Long the domain of state law, the DTSA’s advent “elevates” trade secrets to the same federal protection historically enjoyed by patents, trademarks/trade … Continue Reading

It’s Overtime Time! The Final Rule is Here – Are You Ready?

The wait is over.  The US Department of Labor has released the long-awaited Final Rule modernizing the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (FLSA) white-collar exemptions. The good news, for those who have been following the development of the Final Rule, is that there are no big surprises. What are the changes?   Expected to require employers … Continue Reading

Lessons from the Target “Walk of Shame” Lawsuit – Addressing Suspected Illegal Employee Misconduct

According to a lawsuit filed on January 22 in Los Angeles Superior Court, a young Target employee who had Asperger’s Syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism) committed suicide three days after being paraded through the store in handcuffs and taken away in a police car, allegedly as part of a Target disciplinary policy known as … Continue Reading
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