Taking Care of HR Business

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        by Tawny L. Alvarez on September 17, 2015

        It sounds like the start to a bad joke—25 student nurse anesthetists walk into a courtroom…let's just hope you don't fall asleep before we get to...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on September 11, 2015

        No matter the faith or belief, religion makes its way into the work environment more often than one would expect. This week's headlines serve as a...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 24, 2015

        While we often remind employers that complaints about on-the-job stress could be a reportable event to a workers' compensation carrier, we do not...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 18, 2015

        Earlier this month, Maine's highest court, the Law Court, held that Governor LePage's veto attempts came too late—meaning that 65 laws which he had...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 18, 2015

        Yesterday the NLRB issued a ruling in the Northwestern football players' attempt to unionize. While last year the Chicago office had issued a ruling...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 13, 2015

        Danny Tanner may have some words of advice right now, but we think that the more apt advice can be found in previous blog posts warning employers of...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 13, 2015

        On Monday, Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV of the District of Massachusetts entered judgment in favor of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., after a five-day...

        by Robert Laplaca on August 7, 2015

        Last month, the FTC issued new "guidance" on data security for companies that collect, store, and use consumer data. This guidance "summarizes the...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 28, 2015

        Let us frost your day with a tasty treat—an arbitration decision out of Ohio, In re First Student, Inc. What is sweet about this arbitration you...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 27, 2015

        Earlier this month, a California federal judge certified a class-action lawsuit of approximately 62,000 Abercrombie & Fitch employees who claim...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 21, 2015

        Last week we posted about the DOL's recent interpretation of workers' status as employees versus independent contractors. Even if your company does...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 13, 2015

        While many of us feel like prisoners to our cell phones (not to be confused with prisons you can buy for your cell phone or companies that appear to...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 7, 2015

        The answer is fairly obvious: don't refer to someone as having a Jezebel Spirit. If this happens, however, and an employee can't help but make the...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 24, 2015

        On Monday, jurors awarded Plaintiffs Jack Lowe and Dennis Reynolds $2.25 million dollars in a GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) action...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 17, 2015

        Our parents consistently told us honesty was the best policy. Being honest with the people you interact with, whether, socially, romantically, or...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 4, 2015

        As we near Father's Day, Ferguson v. Fairfield Caterers, Inc., serves as an appropriate case to remind employers of the many facets of a retaliation...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 1, 2015

        Today the Supreme Court issued a decision in the highly anticipated case of EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch. Background on the case is available, as...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 13, 2015

        New England administrative agencies and courts have sprung into spring with a litany of action last week that will affect New England employers....

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 13, 2015

        Last week a class action was filed against restaurant chain Dave & Buster's Inc. accusing the restaurant of decreasing employee hours to avoid...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 7, 2015

        Maine will not become the first state in the Northeast to pass a right-to-work law. Yesterday, law makers in Augusta on the Legislature's Labor...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 6, 2015

        Wage payment and the laws that regulate it are important to your business. Making sure you can cover payroll each month is extremely important to...

        by Robert Laplaca on May 6, 2015

        Why are we doctors or lawyers or other such professionals? We're analytical and creative, persistent and interpersonal. Where did we get these...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 30, 2015

        Earlier this week an arbitrator ordered that three performers who wore character costumes in the "Festival of the Lion King" at Disney's Animal...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 28, 2015

        For all our friends and colleagues in the hospitality and retail sectors of the Maine economy, please be mindful of two pending pieces of legislation...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 23, 2015

        Late last month we posted on Indiana's "Religious Freedom" bill. Since then, the bill has been amended and states (including Maine) with similar...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 20, 2015

        Earlier this month, the Sixth Circuit issued an en banc decision in the EEOC v. Ford Motor Co. matter concerning the ADA and telecommuting; finding...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 20, 2015

        Last week, the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana denied, in part, the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System's...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 9, 2015

        On Tuesday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled that the EEOC does not have to identify any specifically aggrieved...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 1, 2015

        Late last year we posted on the NLRB's finalized rules governing union election procedures which shortened the time period for employers to educate...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 26, 2015

        Yesterday the Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated opinion on the Pregnancy Discrimination Act in Young v. UPS vacating the Fourth Circuit's...

        About the Blog

        Human resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives are constantly confronted with a changing legal landscape. Verrill’s Taking Care of HR Business blog is designed to keep you informed about the latest and most significant legal developments that affect employers.

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        About

        Human resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives alike face a constantly changing and evolving legal landscape. Verrill’s Taking Care of HR Business blog is here to keep you up to date on the newest and most important legal developments for employers.

        Verrill’s employment and labor attorneys are based throughout New England but practice on a national stage. In addition to regular appearances in state and federal courts, they often appear before state and federal agencies that create and enforce the various frameworks that regulate the employer-employee relationship. The Group has a wide range of experience in all aspects of labor and employment law and is frequently tapped to serve on state and national legal organizations, participate in industry seminars, and contribute to professional journals, thereby continually adding value to their client relationships. Learn more about Verrill’s Employment and Labor Group.

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        Firm Highlights

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        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...
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        After 45 Years, the IRS Speaks on DCAP Nondiscrimination Testing – And It’s Good News

        Employers that provide a Dependent Care Assistance Program will be pleased to learn that for the first time in 45 years, the IRS has issued guidance...
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        Verrill Welcomes Business Restructuring and Insolvency Attorney Nimra Tariq

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Nimra Tariq has joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency Group as an...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Provides Commentary on First Brands Restructuring in Law360

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        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Construction Attorney Cassie Dufon

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to welcome Cassie Dufon to the firm’s Construction Group as an Associate, resident in the firm’s Portland...
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        Verrill’s Wide-Ranging Private Wealth Law Practice Recognized in 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide

        BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine and BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill attorneys Kenneth P. Brier, Anya F. Endsley, Kurt E. Klebe, Mary McQuillen, Nathaniel S....
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        In December 2024, Verrill published a blog post, Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in...