Employment Law

Education Supreme Court Weighs Parochial School Teachers' Employment Rights
The justices consider two cases involving lay teachers at Roman Catholic schools and must decide whether such positions are exempt from protection of civil rights and employment laws.
Mark Walsh, May 11, 2020
7 min read
A woman walks past the U.S. Supreme Court, which is hearing oral arguments via livestreamed telephone due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A woman walks past the U.S. Supreme Court, which is hearing oral arguments via livestreamed telephone due to the coronavirus pandemic.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Law & Courts Next Up at Supreme Court: Employment Rights of Parochial School Teachers
A pair of cases being heard by the high court will likely determine whether job-discrimination laws apply to tens of thousands of teachers at religious schools.
Mark Walsh, May 7, 2020
7 min read
Education Supreme Court to Hear Appeals From Two Catholic Schools in Job-Bias Cases
The justices will use cases involving teachers who allege employment discrimination to further define the scope of the "ministerial exception" to job-bias laws for religious employers.
Mark Walsh, December 18, 2019
4 min read
Education Supreme Court Says Federal Age-Bias Law Applies to Local Governments of Any Size
In a decision that could affect small school districts, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 applies to political subdivisions no matter how many employees they have.
Mark Walsh, November 6, 2018
3 min read
A still image taken from video provided by WTVD-TV of Kandice Mason during an interview in Raeford, N.C. Mason, a middle school teacher who moonlights as a pole-dance instructor, has been suspended by a North Carolina school district.
A still image taken from video provided by WTVD-TV of Kandice Mason during an interview in Raeford, N.C. Mason, a middle school teacher who moonlights as a pole-dance instructor, has been suspended by a North Carolina school district.
WTVD-TV via AP
Teaching Profession A Teacher Was Suspended for Posting a Video of Herself Pole Dancing. But What Are Her Rights?
The school district says she violated the social media policy that holds employees "responsible for their public conduct" outside of school.
Sarah Schwartz, August 24, 2018
3 min read
Law & Courts Opinion Supreme Court Delivers Fair Share Case Decision
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on Janus v. AFSCME, a high-profile case with big implications for unions, leaders, and school systems across the country.
Emily Douglas-McNab, June 27, 2018
2 min read
Education Federal Appeals Court Blocks Catholic School Principal's Bias Suit
The court rules that the principal's position made her a minister of the church for purposes of the "ministerial exception" to employment-discrimination laws.
Mark Walsh, July 14, 2017
2 min read
Law & Courts Opinion White House and EEOC Makes Changes to Promote Equal Pay
On January 29, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shared information on proposed revisions to Employer Information Reports. While this change does not directly impact school districts, organizations providing services to districts could be affected. It could be speculated that the other requirements could be altered in the future that impact district pay.
Emily Douglas-McNab, February 15, 2016
3 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Backs Worker in Pregnancy-Bias Case
In a case watched by educators, the justices made it easier for pregnant workers to press discrimination claims when they have been denied accommodations.
Mark Walsh, March 25, 2015
4 min read
Law & Courts Opinion President Obama Wants to Update Overtime Pay Rules
President Obama recently issued a memorandum instructing the Secretary of Labor to update regulations regarding who qualifies for overtime protection. The decision could affect organization's employees, budgets, HR policies, etc.
Emily Douglas-McNab, March 23, 2014
2 min read
Law & Courts Opinion HR Trends Impacting School Districts
The Society for Human Resources Management recently released a report offering information on the latest HR trends according to panels of senior HR practitioners, consultants, academics, and policy experts.
Emily Douglas-McNab, February 25, 2014
3 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion All Faiths Must Be Welcome in the Workplace
Around the world, 1.6 billion Muslims are observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan by fasting without food or water from dawn to sunset. Many also increase their salat (prayers), Quranic recitation, and charitable giving. For talent managers, this is a perfect opportunity to review your organization's policies and practices protecting employees of all faiths in the workplace.
Emily Douglas-McNab, July 18, 2013
1 min read
Law & Courts Opinion When Can An Internship Go Unpaid?
As a follow-up to my post, Court Decisions Challenge Legality of Unpaid Internships, here is a bit of information for those interested on what qualifies as an internship and what doesn't.
Emily Douglas-McNab, July 3, 2013
1 min read
Law & Courts Opinion Court Decisions Challenge Legality of Unpaid Internships
It's not unusual for college students to pursue an unpaid internship to build experience in hopes of gaining a fulltime position upon graduation. In fact, Intern Bridge, a research firm, estimates that more than 500,000 undergraduate students participate in unpaid internships yearly.
Emily Douglas-McNab, July 1, 2013
2 min read