Effective Sept. 10. 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the validity of permanent resident cards to 36 months for individuals who have filed the Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This change has been announced to adjust for longer processing times experienced by applicants.

Continue Reading Automatic extension of permanent resident cards extended to 36 months for pending renewals

The dust is still settling after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its long anticipated final Rule on Tuesday, April 23 banning most non-compete agreements in the employment context. Although the effectiveness of the Rule is likely to be delayed, potentially for years, by court challenges, employers are understandably jittery about their existing non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants.  Here with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions are Porter Wright employment attorneys Jennifer Huelskamp and Nicole Mayo

Continue Reading Answers to common questions about the FTC’s non-compete ban: What’s next?

On Mar. 4, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the lower court’s ruling that parts of Florida’s House Bill 7, dubbed the Individual Freedom Act or the “Stop WOKE Act”, are unconstitutional and infringe on an employer’s free speech rights. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Individual Freedom Act in 2022 as part of his campaign against what he terms “woke ideology.”

Continue Reading Eleventh Circuit upholds lower court decision holding Florida Individual Freedom Act unconstitutional

As we discussed in a recent blog post, last year the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a rule revising the standard for determining a joint employer. The rule was due to go into effect on Dec. 26, 2023, but was delayed when business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce brought a lawsuit in Texas against the NLRB alleging the rule exceeds the NLRB’s authority. Recently, a Texas federal judge delayed the rule implementation until Mar. 11, 2024 to give the Court additional time to issue a decision. 

Continue Reading NLRB joint employer rule delayed

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting many aspects of our lives, and it is no surprise that many businesses are evaluating ways in which AI can streamline processes and reduce expenses. AI has the potential to significantly impact the workers’ compensation industry, including by reducing costs, simplifying processes, and predicting outcomes.

Continue Reading Artificial Intelligence and the workers’ compensation system

There is no need to wait until March for college basketball to take the spotlight thanks to a recent ruling issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On Monday, a regional official ruled that Dartmouth’s men’s basketball players are University employees and ordered an election for them to vote on unionization.

Continue Reading “February madness” in college basketball: NLRB rules players are university employees

On Dec. 21, 2023, the US Department of State (DOS) published a proposed rule, “Pilot Program To Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens.” It announced what has been long anticipated: a program to allow certain H-1B visa holders to renew their visas while they reside in the United States.

Continue Reading H-1B visas for applicants present in the US to be renewed again

Ohio employers’ defenses to temporary total disability compensation continue to shrink. First, the legislature eliminated the doctrine of voluntary abandonment. Then, the Tenth District held that terminated employees may be eligible for temporary total disability compensation. Now, employees who voluntarily resign their employment may be entitled to compensation as well.

Continue Reading Another setback for Ohio employers’ defense to temporary total disability compensation