Lawsuit against Coca – Cola for Labor Law Violations in California

In California, Coca – Cola has been sued for violating various state labor laws under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). Specifically, about 1,500 workers have been affected by these violations and the damages are estimated to possibly exceed $30 million. The class action lawsuit alleges a variety of labor law violations such as failure to pay overtime wages, lack of providing uninterrupted break periods, and lack of reimbursement for expenses during work hours, to name a few. The lawsuit was initially filed in a California state court and then removed to federal court. See full article here.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, violations of any provision of the Labor Law, the Industrial Code, or any rule, regulation, or lawful order of the Department of Labor is a misdemeanor. Violators can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or both, as well as even civil penalties (up to $10,000) for each violation of labor law governing the employment of minors under 18 years old by an employer. Penalties include fine up to $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000, for the second, and $3,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Also, according to the New York State Department of Labor, an employer is not allowed penalize or discharge an employee because he/she complained to the Labor Department about the employer violating the law. See: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/minors.shtm

Additionally, the US Department of Labor promotes the welfare of wage earners by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits to name a few. To carry out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws which guarantee workers’ the following rights: safe and healthful working conditions, a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay. See: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/index.htm

Our lawyers excel at helping its clients collect the compensation they have earned and the justice they deserve. If you or someone you know has been faced with a labor dispute, unpaid overtime, wage dispute, employer discrimination, or just looking to speak with an employment attorney, please contact our our office Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, 1-888-5-JOBLAW, One Old Country Road, Suite 347, Carle Place, NY, 11514-1851.

Labor law violations found by Contractor in Missouri

In Missouri, a contractor named Larry McElroy from Blackhawk Electric Company in Cape Girardeau has been accused of not paying two employees for work completed to the Jackson High School. The two employees were not paid for work done on the high school project from December 2009 to February 2011. According to the report, the workers were entitled to $9,800. The workers were also found to have been improperly classified as independent contractors instead of employees in an effort to avoid paying taxes. Full article: http://www.semissourian.com/story/1767525.html

The US Department of Labor promotes the welfare of wage earners by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits to name a few. To carry out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws which guarantee workers’ the following rights: safe and healthful working conditions, a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay. See: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/index.htm

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, are devoted to helping clients collect the compensation for labor disputes, unpaid overtime, wage disputes, employer discrimination, lack of safety precautions on the job, or just looking to speak with an employment attorney, please contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW, One Old Country Road, Suite 347, Carle Place, NY, 11514-1851.

Sexual Harassment Found to be high among teens from Grades 7-12

A recent study by the American Association of University Women has found that 49 percent of students in grades 7 through 12 have experienced some form of sexual harassment. This sexual harassment is described as acts occurred in person, by text, email and social media. Those who are considered to be the ones to harass others do not believe what they are doing is bad or will do any harm. The study also found that 56 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys have experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment during the school year. Of this percentage, it was found that only 9 percent of these incidents were reported to school administrators or counselors. Full article: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/nov/07/5/sexual-harassment-rampant-grades-7-12-ar-819142/

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and many state-level anti-discrimination and sexual harassment statutes prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. There are two common types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment. A hostile work situation typically involves repeated behavior that is abusive or offensive, or that interferes or alters the victims’ ability to perform their job. Employers that foster or otherwise allow these conditions to continue can be found liable for the conduct of the offending employees.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC handles many cases of sexual harassment. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of civil litigation and discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Magic Johnson defending David Stern after racial comment

The NBA commissioner, David Stern, who is now 69-years-old, has been criticized and likened to a “plantation overseer” over the NBA and its players. Magic Johnson is defending Stern against attorney Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the NBA players’ association, who stated to the Washington Post that owners were treating players like ”plantation workers” during the recent NBA lockout. In a phone interview Johnson stated that the NBA is the most diverse league in all of sports and praised David Stern’s vision and what he wanted to do. Kessler has made a statement that he will apologize to Stern. Read more here.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. handle many cases regarding discrimination and labor law. For any questions concerning discriminatory matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529.

Cyma & Taean Orchids To Pay $240,000 For Discrimination Against Latina Farm Workers

One of the largest orchid farms in the U.S., Cyma Orchids, Inc., will pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The complaint alleges female Latina greenhouse workers of the Oxnard, California based company were sexually harassed continually by supervisors, managers, and the company’s owners. Women were groped and subjected to unwanted touching of their breasts and buttocks, repeated propositions, sexual jokes and comments about their bodies. The EEOC also alleged that workers who complained about the harassment and discrimination were retaliated against, including a Hispanic male lead greenhouse worker who was fired after defending one of the victims. Full article.

National origin discrimination involves treating people (applicants or employees) unfavorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background (even if they are not). National origin discrimination also can involve treating people unfavorably because they are married to (or associated with) a person of a certain national origin or because of their connection with an ethnic organization or group. Discrimination can occur when the victim and the person who inflicted the discrimination are the same national origin.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, dedicates a large area of practice to employment law. Our firm has represented clients throughout Long Island and the New York City area in matters of employment discrimination. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Sheriff’s Department reopens Natalie Wood case

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reopened the 1981 Natalie Wood death case. Wood, 43, was boating off the island on Thanksgiving weekend 1981 with her husband, Robert Wagner, and fellow actor Christopher Walken when she went overboard and died. Although the coroner originally ruled the actress’ death an accident, the investigators want to talk to the captain of the yacht Wood and her husband about on the weekend she died off Santa Catalina. Some reports claim there were sounds of a woman screaming. And, there have also been allegations of domestic violence. The L.A. Sheriff’s Department hope to discover additional evidence that will close this cold case. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/local/la-me-natalie-wood-20111118

Domestic violence is abusive behavior, including emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual, that one person in an intimate relationship uses in order to control the other. It takes many different forms and includes behaviors such as threats, name-calling, preventing contact with family or friends, withholding money, actual or threatened physical harm and sexual assault. Stalking can also be a form of domestic violence. Most domestic violence is committed against women by their male partners or ex-partners. It also occurs in lesbian and gay relationships and is common in teenage dating relationships. But every victim of domestic violence, whether female or male, gay or heterosexual, has the right to legal relief.

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. has represented clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. If you are facing a child custody proceeding, it is important to hire lawyers that are capable of advocating your needs. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit our divorce website at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Accountant employed by HSBC Bank sues for wage and hour violations

An accountant who was working with HSBC initiated a class and collective lawsuit action for wage and hour violations. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Former and current employees of HSBC who worked as Fund Accountants for the Alternative Fund Services (“AFS”) are claiming that HSBC failed to pay them for overtime worked and improperly misclassified them as exempt salaried employees to avoid paying this overtime, which is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law. Read more: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hsbc-bank-usa-na-accused-of-federal-and-state-labor-law-violations-by-fund-accountants-133612198.html

In times of economic uncertainty such as this, it is important to find and keep a job that will treat you fairly. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes standards for minimum wages, overtime pay, record-keeping, and child labor. The Act applies to employers that oversee employees who engage in interstate commerce, produce goods for interstate commerce, or handle, sell, or work on goods or materials that have been moved in or produced for interstate commerce. The Act covers the following regardless of their annual dollar amount in income: hospitals; institutions engaged in the care of the sick, aged, mentally ill, or disabled who reside on the premises; schools for children who are mentally or physically disabled or gifted; preschools, elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education; and federal, state, and local government agencies. The Act also covers domestic service workers, such as day workers, housekeepers, chauffeurs, cooks, or full time babysitters, if they receive at least $1,700 in 2009 in cash wages from one employer in a calendar year, or if they work a total of more than eight hours a week for one or more employers. See: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/minwage.htm

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC help clients collect the compensation they have earned and help to promote fair business practices pursuant to the law. If you or someone you know has been faced with a labor dispute, unpaid overtime, wage dispute, slave labor, employer discrimination, has not been provided with safety precautions, or just looking to speak with an employment attorney, please contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-585-4658, One Old Country Road, Suite 347, Carle Place, NY, 11514-1851.

Atheists seeking U.S. military to recognize their status

As more atheists join the military, they are seeking for the US military the hire lay leaders to give them spiritual guidance. About a dozen of the U.S. military atheists, who do not believe in God, have applied for the status. These applicants believe that these chaplains could provide support to comrades similar to priests, rabbis and imams. This effort has been criticized and met with hostility from US military personnel as the military inside the military does not recognize atheists or humanists as members of an organized religion. See: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/atheists-recognition-u-s-military-article-1.977302

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his/her race or color in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information: www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all matters of discrimination, racial profiling, hate crimes, harassment and bigotry. For any questions concerning discriminatory or civil rights matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529. Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Woman Dead After Breathing Toxic Fumes at Georgia McDonald’s

An elderly woman died and eight other people were hospitalized after breathing in toxic fumes at a McDonald’s restaurant in Georgia. Anne Felton, an 81-year-old woman from Ponte Verde, Florida, was found unconscious in the restaurant’s bathroom, and later died from the exposure. An investigation into the incident reveals that a toxic mix of chemicals used to clean bathrooms was to blame for sickening customers. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the incident. Full article.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. To help ensure that employees are free to participate in safety and health activities, the Act prohibits any person from discharging or retaliating against any employee because the employee has exercised rights under the Act. These rights include complaining to OSHA and seeking an OSHA inspection, participating in an OSHA inspection, and participating or testifying in any proceeding related to an OSHA inspection. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, dedicates a large area of practice to employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Troy Davis Executed After Stay Denied by Supreme Court

Troy Davis was executed for the murder of an off-duty policeman after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a last-minute stay of execution amid widespread public doubts about his guilt. Davis spent 22 years on death row, having his execution stayed four times. The multiple legal appeals during that time failed to prove his innocence. During his time on death row, seven witnesses from his trial recanted their testimony. Davis’ defense team claimed this casted too much doubt on Davis’ guilt to follow through with an execution. A final appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court only delayed the execution for four hours, ultimately the Court chose not to block the execution. Full article.

Striving for equality is a constant battle in America. Despite many laws put into place to prevent discrimination and equality, it seems that there still persists inequality in many instances across the country. In the workplace, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website for further information: eeoc.gov.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC dedicates a large portion of their practice to the area of employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.