a federal judge has blocked the new overtime rule by Alison Green on November 18, 2024 A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule that would have expanded access to overtime pay to millions more salaried workers. And not only that — the court also struck down the increase that already took effect on July 1 of this year. The background: In the U.S., all workers are classified as […] Read the full article →
is it OK for job postings to require a “clean-cut appearance”? by Alison Green on October 17, 2024 A reader writes: There is a small family-owned butcher shop near me. They list job postings on their Facebook page, and I’ve noticed every time they post for counter staff, that they include “clean-cut” or “clean-cut appearance” in their list of requirements for applicants. I don’t believe this is specifically about food handling/sanitation requirements, since […] Read the full article →
new manager is angry that I’m pregnant by Alison Green on October 15, 2024 A reader writes: I’ve just gone through a long interview process for a job I was referred to a while back. I have not been actively applying for jobs because I am pregnant but this one came to me. During the process, I realized this is the best job I’ve ever been considered for — […] Read the full article →
my husband’s boss was fired after he told the truth about her in an exit interview by Alison Green on September 9, 2024 A reader writes: I’m writing on behalf of my husband, Bob, who recently left his job after two years. During his exit interview, he explained exactly why he was leaving. The reasons included his supervisor’s disorganized management style, expecting him to answer texts and phone calls at all hours, expecting him to log on to […] Read the full article →
employer made us take fake lie detector tests to trap a stealing receptionist by Alison Green on September 3, 2024 A reader writes: A coworker, Kate, and I used to work together at another company several years ago. I was visiting with her recently, when she brought up a situation we encountered at the old place. At the old firm, I was a manager and Kate reported to another manager. A bunch of cash payments […] Read the full article →
your non-compete isn’t illegal after all (at least not yet) by Alison Green on August 21, 2024 Remember back in April when the Federal Trade Commission announced it would ban non-compete agreements for most U.S. workers, saying they stifle wages? That was supposed to become law next month, but yesterday a judge in Texas blocked the new rule, saying the agency lacked the authority to issue the rule. The FTC is likely […] Read the full article →
my company says we can’t wear underwire bras by Alison Green on July 22, 2024 A reader writes: My company just introduced a new company-wide policy that you cannot wear an underwire bra due to setting off an alarm on a metal detector in the entrance of the building. Is this illegal in California? It’s legal. It’s actually been litigated in multiple states (and, as far as I know, upheld […] Read the full article →
your non-compete agreement is now illegal (or it will be in 4 months) by Alison Green on April 24, 2024 The Federal Trade Commission yesterday banned non-compete agreements for most U.S. workers, saying that they stifle wages. The ruling not only makes non-competes illegal, but it also requires employers to to inform employees with existing non-competes that they are null and void. An exception was carved out for existing non-competes for senior executives; the ruling […] Read the full article →
my boss wants us to meet with a spiritualist to fix the negative energy in our building by Alison Green on April 24, 2024 A reader writes: I work at a small nonprofit and recently the employee with the longest institutional knowledge just left her position because of the years of abuse, micromanagement, and overwork she endured. Now, the executive director is trying to set up an all-staff meeting with a “spiritualist” so that she can figure out why […] Read the full article →
should we fire the relatives of Nazis? by Alison Green on April 16, 2024 A reader writes: I am casual friends with a couple who are both teachers at a public high school. One day while catching up, they told me that they found out one of their recently-hired colleagues (“Jane”) is the direct descendant of a Nazi. I don’t know which Nazi, I don’t know how they found […] Read the full article →