ERISA rules generally require employers to deposit employee contributions to retirement and welfare benefit plans on the earliest date on which the contributions can reasonably be segregated from the employer’s general assets (i.e., as soon as reasonably possible after a payroll date). For retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, deposit must be made not later than the 15... [ more ]
Last month, the Department of Labor finally released proposed changes to its Family and Medical Leave Act regulations. The rules had not been changed since their release in 1993, and have become an increasing source of complaints from employers. The original FMLA rules did not address continuing problems employers face with making key determinations under the law, and a ... [ more ]
In recent years, a number of federal courts have been asked to determine what constitutes a legal Charge of Discrimination before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This question is of great importance in cases where the Charging Party waits until near the end of the period of limitations for filing a Charge. Employers often contend that letters to the EEOC, in... [ more ]
McLennan Ross LLP hosted our annual Year-in-Review seminars that outlined significant cases in 2007. These seminars were designed to keep employers aware of how the law affected business in 2007 - and how it might influence business in 2008. The 2007 Employment Year in Review Seminars focused on:
McLennan Ross LLP hosted our annual Year-in-Review seminars that outlined significant cases in 2007. These seminars were designed to keep employers aware of how the law affected business in 2007 - and how it might influence business in 2008. The 2007 Employment Year in Review Seminars focused on:
64% say bullied workers should be able to fight back in court
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (March 21, 2007) - The grade school bully may have grown up to become the office oppressor, according to a new nationwide poll by the Employment Law Alliance released today, which found that nearly 45% of American workers say they have experienced workplace abuse.
Stephen J. Hirschfeld, ELA'S CEO and an employment lawyer with the California-ba... [ more ]
Employment Law Alliance Law Firm Member in Italy Receives Recognition
We are pleased to announce that LABLAW has won the World Finance Award for Best Italian Industrial Relations and Labour Law Team 2008. World Finance is a leading financial magazine based in London. The panel of judges, which included editor Alexander Redcliffe and former BBC journali... [ more ]
We maintain a vast library of legal news and articles posted by our global network of members. These articles and updates offer insight into the most important legal developments and trends worldwide.
We own, manage, and franchise hotels throughout the U.S. and in more than 90 countries. With more than 145,000 employees worldwide, ensuring that we comply with the complex web of local labor and employment laws in every one of these jurisdictions is a daunting task. The Employment Law Alliance has served as an important resource for us and we have benefited greatly from its expertise and long reach. When a legal dispute or issue has arisen in some far-flung place, Employment Law Alliance lawyers have always provided responsive, practical, and cost-effective assistance.
Keith Grossman Senior Vice-President, Deputy General Counsel Starwood Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Inc. White Plains, NY
We have direct sales and service offices all over the U.S., but have not necessarily had the need in the past for assistance with legal work in every state where we have a business presence. From time to time, we suddenly find ourselves facing a legal issue in a state where we have no outside counsel relationship. It has been a real benefit to know that the ELA has assembled such an impressive team of experts throughout the U.S. and overseas.
A few years ago, we faced a very tough discrimination lawsuit in Mississippi. We had never had to retain a lawyer there before. I was absolutely delighted with the Mississippi ELA firm. We received an excellent result. They will no doubt handle all of our employment law matters in Mississippi in the future. I have also obtained the assistance of several other ELA firms around the U.S. and have received the same outstanding service. The ELA is a tremendous resource for our company.
Paul Nix Vice President & Deputy General Counsel Ricoh Americas Corporation Atlanta, GA
The ELA network has been immensely important to our company in helping us address an array of human resources challenges around the world. I strongly encourage H.R. executives who have employees located in many different jurisdictions to utilize the ELA's unparalleled expertise and geographic coverage.
Stacy Murphy Director of Human Resources Palm, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA
In my career I have been a practicing attorney, counsel to the Governor of Maine, and CEO of a major public utility. I have worked with many lawyers in many settings. When the American University in Bulgaria needed help with employment litigation in federal court in Syracuse, New York, we turned to Pierce Atwood, the ELA member we knew and trusted in Maine, for a referral. We were extremely pleased with the responsiveness and high quality of service we received from Bond Schoeneck & King, the ELA's firm in upstate New York. I would not hesitate to recommend the ELA to any employer.
David Flanagan Chair of the Board of Trustees American University in Bulgaria Manchester, ME
We have partnered with many ELA firms on the development and execution of case management strategies with very positive results. We have been very pleased with the legal advice and counsel provided by the law firms we have utilized who are affiliated with the Employment Law Alliance. The ELA firms we have worked with are customer focused, responsive, and thorough in their approach to handling labor and employment law matters.
Liz Daly Assistant General Counsel, Employment and Labor Rockwell Collins, Inc. Cedar Rapids, IA
Our company, Konami Gaming, Inc., is growing rapidly in a very diverse and highly regulated industry. We are aggressively entering new markets outside the domestic U.S., including Canada and South America. I have had the recent opportunity to utilize the services provided by the ELA. The legal advice was both responsive and professional. Most of all, the entire process was seamless since our Nevada attorney coordinated the services and legal advice requested. I look forward to working with the ELA in the future, as it serves as a great resource to the legal community.
Jennifer Martinez Senior Director, Human Resources Konami Gaming, Inc. Las Vegas, NV
As an employment lawyer based in San Francisco, I work closely with high tech clients with operations around the globe. Last year, one of my clients needed to implement a workforce reduction in a dozen countries simultaneously. And they gave me 48 hours to accomplish this. I don't know how I could have pulled this off without the resources of the ELA. I don't know of any single law firm that could have made this happen. My client received all of the help they needed in a timely fashion and on a cost effective basis.
Stephen J. Hirschfeld Partner Curiale Dellaverson Hirschfeld & Kraemer, LLP San Francisco, California
Our affiliated companies have used the Employment Law Alliance in connection with numerous acquisitions, and have always been extremely pleased with our ability to obtain the highest quality legal advice on due diligence issues from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We have found the Employment Law Alliance firms to be not only first rate with respect to their legal advice but also responsive and timely in assisting us with federal and state law issues critical to our due diligence efforts. We consider the Employment Law Alliance to be an important part of our team.
Paul Dines Chairman Roberts-Gordon LLC Buffalo, NY and London, UK
Sanmina-SCI has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world. Our customers expect that we will provide them with the highest quality and most sophisticated services in the marketplace. We have that same expectation for the lawyers with whom we do business. With operations in 17 countries, we need to be certain that we have a team of lawyers working together to address our employment law needs worldwide. The ELA has delivered exactly what it promised-- seamless and consistent high quality services delivered in each locale around the globe. It has quickly become a key asset for our human resources department.
Phil Alarid
Vice President, Human Resources
Sanmina-SCI
San Jose, California
Altra Industrial Motion Inc. has multiple locations in the U.S., as well as Central America, Europe, and Asia. The Employment Law Alliance has proved to be a great asset in assisting us in dealing with employment issues and matters in such diverse venues as Mexico, Australia, and Spain. We have obtained excellent results using the ELA network for matters ranging from a multi-state review of employment policies to assisting with individual employment issues in a variety of foreign jurisdictions.
In one instance, we were faced with an employment dispute with a former associate in Mexico that had the potential for substantial economic exposure. The matter had been pending for over a year, and we were not confident in the employment advice we had been receiving. I obtained a referral to the ELA counsel in Mexico, who was able to obtain a favorable resolution of the dispute in only a few days. Based on our experiences with the ELA, we would not hesitate to use its many resources for future employment law needs.
Tim McGowan Vice President of Human Resources Altra Industrial Motion, Inc. Quincy, MA