Call Us 919-240-4054The New York Times highlights a disturbing trend that has occurred during the Great Recession: the greater percentage of workers being hired as temporary employees instead of permanent ones. Temporary workers often get lower wages, have little or no benefits, less job security, and less chance of promotion and a lasting career. This is obviously bad […]
Law Blog
North Carolina judges Diaz and Eagles confirmed to federal bench
Ending two ridiculously long waits, the Senate has finally confirmed Charlotte Judge Albert Diaz to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and Greensboro Judge Catherine Eagles to the Middle District of North Carolina. Both will be excellent judges, and their confirmations have been long overdue. Other North Carolina nominations are still pending though. Former Magistrate Judge Max […]
Unemployment benefits extended through 2011; more help needed
On Friday, President Obama signed a large tax cut bill that includes an extension of extended unemployment benefits through the end of 2011. While the extension of those benefits was sorely needed, it is unfortunate that the bill did not include additional spending measures that would stimulate the economy. As further evidence that the Great Recession continues, […]
Millions to lose unemployment benefits, even if extension passes; new course of action needed
Even if Congress manages to extend emergency unemployment benefits for more the millions of workers who could receive them, about four million others will see their benefits end over the next year, unless an entirely new program is created. This is according to a report recently issued by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. So the crisis […]
Extended unemployment blocked by Republicans again
Extended unemployment benefits — providing for up to 99 weeks of benefits — have expired again because of Republican obstruction. Up to 2 million long-term job-seekers could lose their benefits by the end of the year. Coverage can be found here. Once again, Republicans oppose helping the unemployed in the name of the budget deficit, […]
NC Supreme Court denies review in Taylor v. Town of Garner; win for plaintiff
The North Carolina Supreme Court denied the defendants’ petition for discretionary review (PDR) in Taylor v. Town of Garner. The Court of Appeals decided earlier this year that Officer Taylor is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from the Town of Garner for the injury he suffered while working as a mounter officer at an N.C. […]
EEOC issues new GINA regulations
On November 9, 2010, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final regulations implementing the employment-related provisions in Title II of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). Details on the new regulations can be found at the Federal Register and at the EEOC. Under Title II of GINA, it is illegal to discriminate […]
Latest COA decisions on workers’ compensation
The North Carolina Court of Appeals published two decisions on workers’ compensation this month. The first case, Kingston v. Lyon Construction, concerns workers’ compensation liens and third-party recoveries. The plaintiff was exposed to asbestos on the job and developed illness as a result. He was awarded workers’ compensation benefits, and brought and settled tort cases against manufacturers […]
NC Court of Appeals rejects workers’ comp claim as time-barred
In an opinion issued two weeks ago, Johnston v. Duke University Medical Center, the North Carolina Court of Appeals concluded that the plaintiff’s occupational disease workers’ compensation claim was time-barred. The plaintiff had been a nurse at Duke, and developed several conditions in her left foot: plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and Achilles tendinopathy. These conditions developed […]
Issues raised by new types of workplace drug testing
This New York Times article discusses an important employment issue that may become more prevelant: whether and how employers may test and discipline employees for using legal prescription drugs. As the article relates, drug testing like this is regulated in part by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In North Carolina, two other state statutes can […]