Federal Employment Law/Co-Employment Flashcards
When may a staffing firm be responsible for sexual harassment committed by its clients or other non-employees? (3)
- If it knew or should have known of the harassment
- Failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action
- Has some control over the situation or the non-employee
The employer may be required to make reasonable accommodations under the ADA for a pregnant employee if…
They have pregnancy related impairments that substantially limit a major life function
What action may result in employees having an extension for filing a discrimination charge against the employer?
Employer’s failure to conspicuously post the EEOCs notice
Supreme Court has found that a _-year statute of limitation applies to suits filed under the civil rights act
Four
EEOC stands for?
Equal employment opportunity commission
ADA?
Americans with disabilities act
BFOQ?
Bona fide occupational qualifications
ADEA?
Age discrimination in employment act
FMLA?
Family medical leave act
EPA?
Equal pay act
OFCCP?
Office of federal contract compliance programs
FLSA?
Fair labor standards act
PDA?
Pregnancy discrimination act
ADAAA?
Americans with disabilities act amendments act of 2008
Three most common theories under which employees are permitted to bring wrongful discharge lawsuits against their employers?
Termination is contrary to public policy.
Employer agreed, implicitly or explicitly, to terminate the employee only for unsatisfactory job performance or other good cause.
The termination violates the covenant of good faith and fair dealing implied in every contract.
Types of public policy violations (4)(employment at will most common exception is termination contrary to public policy)
- Refusing to perform unlawful act
- Termination exercising statutory right
- Termination for whistleblowing
- Termination in violation of a statute
Employees primary duty is performance of office or non manual work directly related to the management or general biz operations of the employer or the employer’s customers; employees primary duty includes exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance — what exemption is this?
Administrative
Employees primary duty managing the enterprise or a customarily recognized department or subdivision of the enterprise; directs the work of two or more full time employees; and must have authority to hire or fire or their suggestions to hire or fire hold weight — what exemption is this?
Executive
What division of the US Dept of labor is responsible for administering and enforcing FLSA?
Wage and hour division
A staffing company that provides temporary employees and its clients are considered ______ ______ for FLSA purposes.
Joint employers
3 things to do if FLSA investigator shows up at staffing company asking to inspect the books?
- Politely ask why they’re here
- Politely decline to permit the investigator to examine records immediately. Make an appointment so can review the records first
- Consult an attorney experienced in wage and hour matters before allowing investigator to access company records
Must all time spent by employees who are required to wait while on duty be counted as hours worked for purposes of paying minimum wages and calculating overtime?
Yes
The three exemptions included in the professional exemption?
- Learned professional
- Creative professional
- Computer employee
what three docs provide acceptable proof of both identity and work authorization?
- unexpired employment authorization card
- resident alien form
- US passport
the form I9 must be retained by employers for the later of _ years or one year from the date of termination.
three
why should I9’s be completed after an offer of employment has been extended?
because forms employers would have to review for the I9 may have info that cannot be used in hiring decisions.
acceptance of an offer and entry into the assignment pool can/cannot be considered equivalent to an offer and acceptance of employment?
can be
E-verify will either.. (2)?
confirm employment eligibility OR issue a TNC
A substance abuse policy should combine _ with _ and some type of _ assistance or referral.
testing, education, rehabilitation
drug test results should be stored in ______.
confidential files separate from employees’ personnel
Under the ADA, employers may be required to make _ _ for employees who are currently seeking treatment for illegal drug addiction.
reasonable accommodations
is it lawful and advisable to drug test employees randomly?
NO
is it lawful and advisable to drug test employees after an accident on the job?
Yes
some jurisdictions prohibit inquiries into conviction records until after what has been made?
conditional offer of employment
staffing companies should distribute their EEO policy to…? (4)
clients, applicants, employees, staff
what language should offer letters include ALWAYS?
at-will employment language
what administration is responsible for the promulgation and enforcement of workplace safety and health regulations and standards?
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
what are the two obligations of employers under the occupational safety and health administration?
- provide safe work environment
2. comply with OSHA’s rules and regulations
the four categories of the OSH act’s specific safety standards?
general industry, maritime, construction, agriculture
can staffing firms be cited for violations related to preparing employees for likely work safety hazards if they aren’t host employer?
Yes
how many employees, including regular and temporary, must an employer have to be covered by FMLA?
50
how many day’s notice are employees required to give when they are taking FMLA leave?
30 days
within how many business days of the initial request for FMLA leave must an employer inform the employee of their eligibility status and, if ineligible, one reason why?
five
the IRS’s three factors to determine whether independent contractor or employee?
- behavioral control
- financial control
- type of relationship
what standard test does the DOL use to determine whether someone is an independent contractor or employee for purpose of OT consideration?
economic realities test.
what does the economic realities test, used to determine whether someone is an independent contractor or employee, focus on?
how dependent the worker is on the principal’s business for economic security
What is the employer liable for if it misclassifies an employee as an independent contractor?
the employee’s share of payroll taxes as well as penalties
why do employers benefit from paying business-related expenses under an accountable plan?
because the expenses aren’t considered wages (requiring the employer to pay FICA and FUTA taxes)