News & Comment
OKLAHOMA LAW ALERT »
Governor signs legislation overhauling workers’ compensation system
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed legislation eliminating the current court-based workers’ compensation system and replacing it with a system that gives employers three options: (1) participate in an administrative system for resolving occupational-injuries; (2) establish an employee benefit plan that offers the same benefits as the administrative system; or (3) set up an arbitration program.
EVENT NEWS »
‘Government Gone Wild’ seminar draws record numbers
The theme for EmployerLINC 2013, “Government Gone Wild,” seemed to resonate with employers based on the record number of people who signed up. More than 1,000 business owners, executives, human resources professionals and benefits managers registered for McAfee & Taft’s annual labor, employment and employee benefits seminar this year, held in Oklahoma City on April 23 and in Tulsa on April 26, 2013.
Q&A WITH KATHY NEAL »
Family Medical Leave Act applies to adult children in some cases
The Department of Labor’s recent issuance of new interpretation that clarifies whether an employee is entitled to take Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to care for an adult child prompted The Oklahoman to speak with McAfee & Taft labor and employment attorney Kathy Neal for her insights into the issue.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT »
Employees who violate the law still awarded damages
You would think that employees who violate federal immigration and income tax laws could not turn around and sue their employer on a wage dispute — right? If you answered “yes” to that question, you would be wrong, as Safe Hurricane Shutters, Inc. recently learned.
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS »
Confidentiality of witness statements no longer assured under new NLRB decision
For over 30 years, labor law protected the confidentiality of witness statements conducted by employers in workplace investigations. Yet, the National Labor Relations Board ended this clear rule in a recent decision, thereby overturning another long-standing labor law precedent.
EMPLOYER LIABILITY »
ADA’s interactive process requires discussion with employee
Too often employers believe that an employee’s inability to perform the duties of the job means the employee can be separated from employment. However, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require that the employer engage in an “interactive process” with the employee before making a decision to [...]
LABOR UNIONS »
One union adopts a creative approach to growing union membership rolls
In California, the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) have found an untapped source of new union members in marijuana workers. The UFCW has been organizing, and accepting union dues, from workers in marijuana dispensaries since 2010.
7.5% in Apr 2013
5.0% in Mar 2013
5.6% in Mar 2013
Historical 
Release 
EMPLOYER RESOURCES »
McAfee & Taft publishes video series from EmployerLINC2013 seminar
McAfee & Taft has made available, at no cost, videos of the presentations from its recent labor, employment and employee benefits seminar, EmployerLINC2013: Government Gone Wild. The seminar was held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on April 23 and at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa on [...]
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