The FTC is Considering Banning Non-Compete Agreements: What Would This Mean for Employees?
Companies have long required their employees to sign non-compete agreements, ostensibly to protect proprietary information from falling into the hands of their competitors. Over the past several years, a growing number of companies have started to weaponize non-compete agreements to keep employees from disclosing adverse working conditions, discriminatory practices, and salary disparities. This practice has put non-compete agreements on the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) radar and the FTC is now considering rules to impose a ban on new non-compete agreements …
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What Federal or State Laws Protect Me As an Employee in North Carolina?
There are a number of federal and state laws that protect you as an employee here in North Carolina. These include, but are not limited to: If you feel that your rights may have been violated, call The Noble Law today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you stand up for your rights and for fair compensation. Your Employment Rights State and federal employment laws protect you in three primary areas: What Does it Mean to Be an …
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What Is a Workplace Investigation, and Why Is It Important to Have a Third Party Investigate It?
Great strides have been made in protecting the value of vulnerable groups in the workplace. As a result, increasing numbers of claims involving sexual harassment and workplace discrimination are made due to the alleged misconduct of employers, supervisors, and coworkers. While much of this change is a societal good, the fact remains that false allegations, as well as the failure to adequately respond to legitimate complaints of wrongdoing, can both damage a business’s reputation and negatively impact company culture. This …
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What is the Difference Between Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment in the workplace describes unwelcome sexual behavior that negatively impacts an employee’s ability to do their job or otherwise creates a hostile work environment. Similarly, but distinctly, sexual assault occurs when one is subjected to unwelcome touching of a sexual nature. Both forms of sexual misconduct are prohibited acts that constitute sex discrimination under federal employment laws. Unlike other types of sexual harassment, sexual assault is specifically defined by the criminal codes of each state and can be …
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Which States in the U.S Require Sexual Harassment Training in the Workplace 2022?
Twenty-two states require some form of sexual harassment training for employees. A few states dictate the nature of the training, mandating online or interactive training. The states differ in the scope of laws. Some states require training of only private sector employees, while others mandate all, or a subgroup, of public sector employees to be trained. While California and New York require training for all employers, other states require training only by employers with a prescribed minimum number of employees. …
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What Is a Reasonable Accommodation Request?
When an employee with a disability makes a reasonable accommodation request, they are essentially asking for a change to their workplace environment that will enable them to fully participate in the workplace and perform the essential functions of their position to the best of their ability. The reasonable accommodation request is a quintessential part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The goal of the ADA is to ensure equal access to jobs, the working environment, workplace information flow, and …
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What Are the Basics of a Severance Agreement?
The basics of a severance agreement include the timing, announcements, and monetary and non-monetary considerations, such as non-disparagement, reference-ability, and non-competes. An experienced executive compensation disputes lawyer at The Noble Law can help you with your separation agreement at the beginning or end of employment. We know how important it is that you receive a fair severance agreement, and we will advocate for you in the name of those rights. We represent our clients in a professional and classy manner …
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Should I just Sign My “Standard” Separation Agreement & Get it Over With?
It is usually not with a feeling of great joy that an employee reads the separation agreement just handed over by his or her soon-to-be former boss. And while your head may be spinning with anger and anxiety now is the time to put those thoughts aside and take a deep breath. There is a popular misconception that all of these agreements are “standard” and don’t require much review. Not true. There are many variations of key provisions that can have a …
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Federal Trade Commission Bans Non-Compete Agreements
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) proposed a new rule to ban non-compete clauses, citing concerns about how such clauses harm workers and stifle competition. A non-compete clause in employment contracts is a contractual term between an employer and employee that generally prohibits the employee from working for a competitor, or starting a competing business within a certain geographic area and period of time, after the worker’s employment ends. While non-compete clauses were generally thought to apply …
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At-Will Versus Right-to-Work States
Employment laws regarding an employee’s “right-to-work” and “at-will” status vary from one state to another and can change over time. Do you know the legal implications of these phrases? The Noble Law Firm highlights some of the key aspects of each to help you navigate the applicable employment laws across the Carolinas. Our lawyers can help you understand your rights as an employee and advocate for you if your employer violates them. For help with your employment situation, schedule a …
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