News
NLRB Advice Memorandum Clarifies Law Regarding Employers’ Ability To Prohibit Employees From Disclosing Information About Misconduct Investigations
Employers investigating complaints or incidents of employee misconduct—such as sexual harassment in the workplace—have typically admonished employees to refrain from disclosing information about ongoing investigations. Employers do so to protect the integrity of the investigation, the reputation of the accused employees, and the employees who lodge complaints or provide information from becoming targets for retaliation.
Read MoreMaryland Passes Law Requiring Employers To Accommodate Pregnancy-Related Disabilities
In May 2013, Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law the “Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Act,” which requires Maryland employers to provide reasonable accommodations to women suffering from pregnancy-related disabilities. See Md. Code Ann. State Gov’t §§20-601, et seq. The Act applies to all employers with at least fifteen employees for each working day in…
Read MoreProtecting Against Mechanic’s Liens
The Maryland Mechanic’s Lien law allows contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to bring claims directly against an owner of residential or commercial property, provided that the claimant meets certain procedural and substantive qualifications. Additionally, Maryland contract law does not allow a contractor or subcontractor to waive their right to file a mechanic’s lien, even if the…
Read MoreLegislative Roundup: New Maryland Laws Affecting Employers
This year, in addition to the Pregnancy Disability Leave Act and the Military Deployment Leave Law (which are discussed elsewhere in the blog), Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law two bills affecting employees’ rights. The first bill provided even more force to the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, while the second introduced a new…
Read MoreA New Era For Healthcare
For nearly 40 years, Maryland has done things differently when it comes to health care. Ours is the only state that sets the rates hospitals can charge for the services they provide. It is now being dramatically updated for a new era of care. For forty (40) years, hospitals have been paid to treat patients…
Read MoreGovernment Shuts Down: You Are Not Being Paid on Your Contract, Do You Pay Your Employees?
Even though the government shutdown has now ended, suspended work on contracts may cause payment issues to linger in the coming weeks. Employee wages are among the primary issues that are expected to surface. Given the continuing atmosphere of confrontation in Washington, another shutdown may not be out of the question.
Read MoreLeave Laws: D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) requires certain employers to provide unpaid leave to employees who have serious medical conditions or who must care for family members with such conditions, or care for newborns, newly adopted children, or recently placed foster children. See 29 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq. State laws, however, also…
Read MoreClient Spotlight: Adams Design Group Top 100 MBE
Congratulations to Derrick Adams of the Adams Design Group, LLC on being selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) of 2013 List. The Top MBE Awards honor the minority and women entrepreneurs that fuel the nation’s economy through innovation and dedication. Chosen from Maryland, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the Top 100…
Read MoreMaryland Business Divorce: “Breaking Up” with a Business Partner
Entering into a business relationship, as a partner, stockholder or member of an LLC has many similarities to getting married. Ending one is a lot like getting divorced.
Read MoreFINRA Arbitration for Defamatory Form U5 Statements
Mandatory FINRA arbitration controls all employment disputes between FINRA member businesses and their employees that are registered with FINRA. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is an independent regulatory agency that protects investors by ensuring that its member firms operate fairly and in accordance with federal securities laws and regulations. FINRA has established an arbitration…
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