New York State Equal Pay Protections
Both the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the New York State Equal Pay Act were designed to address the practice of employers paying their female employees less than male colleagues performing the same responsibilities. These laws provide an avenue for female employees dealing with this issue to address the disparities in compensation. Individuals who live in New York State can find additional resources, overviews of other relevant statutes, and file a complaint about workplace discrimination by visiting the website …
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New York Employment Law: Cannabis
The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) is a 2021 law passed in New York State that legalizes the recreational use of cannabis while also amending New York Labor Law. Employers and employees in New York should have a full understanding of this law and their rights and obligations under it. As an employment law firm that serves the state of New York, The Noble Law wanted to dig into the details of what this New York employment law means …
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Two Supreme Court Vaccine Decisions Tell the Tale of Two Americas
On January 13, 2022, the Supreme Court handed down decisions in two cases involving the federal government’s attempt to require vaccines for employees working in large employment settings and health care facilities, projecting the direction of future COVID-19 vaccine laws. In the “large employer” case, titled Nat’l Fed. Independent Bus. V. Dept. of Labor, the conservative majority held that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exceeded its statutory authority to impose a vaccine or test rule, dissolving this rule …
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OSHA Vaccine Mandate Denied by Supreme Court
Yesterday, the Supreme Court denied the Biden administration’s vaccine requirement for businesses over 100 employees. Laura Noble spoke with ABC News to discuss the impact OSHA’s vaccine mandate could have had on North Carolina businesses. Lauren Johnson: Tonight people are talking about the Supreme Court’s decision earlier in the day blocking the Biden administration’s vaccine requirement for large businesses. The justices say OSHA did not have the authority to enforce the mandate. The ruling effects some 80 million employees all …
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What is the Role of an Executive Compensation Lawyer?
Contracts setting out executive compensation do more than simply define an individual’s role and expectations in an organization. They also establish key contractual and legal obligations between an employee and their employer. In almost all cases, an employer will use a lawyer to draft the contract. An experienced executive compensation attorney helps employees protect their best interests and negotiate the best possible contract. Whether in North Carolina, New York, or South Carolina, The Noble Law is prepared to assist on …
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Katie Abernethy Speaks to Fox 9 Regarding Equal Pay Act Claim
Last night, partner Katie Abernethy appeared on Fox 9 News in Minneapolis, MN regarding her recent argument in front of the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals against an employer based out of Minneapolis. In her argument, Katie represented Tracy Sempowich in an Equal Pay Act claim. Kelcey Carlson: A Minneapolis-based medical device company will have to a former employee in court over equal pay issues. A former regional sales manager sued the company because a male counterpart had a …
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Stand Up for Workers PAC
As part of her efforts to catalyze positive changes in employment law and society, managing partner Laura Noble serves on the board of directors of Stand Up for Workers, a political action committee focused on defending and expanding the basic rights of the American worker. The group strives to elect representatives who support legislation regarding those rights, from fair wages to equitable and dignified treatment in the workplace. One of the key components of the group’s work is to ensure that workers have access to …
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Katie Abernethy Argues Equal Pay Act in 4th Circuit
Last week, The Noble Law’s Partner, Katie Abernethy, argued in federal court on behalf of Tracy Sempowich, a regional sales manager for Tactile Systems Technology. She made the case before the Fourth Circuit United States Court of Appeals, arguing that lower court used an incorrect test when it rejected Ms. Sempowich’s Equal Pay Act claim. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also appeared on behalf of Ms. Sempowich. Bloomberg Law’s Patrick Dorrian shined light on the argument in his article …
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President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Undergoes OSHA Approval
Katie Abernethy, employment attorney and partner with The Noble Law, appeared on WRAL News to discuss the implications that OSHA approval could have on President Biden’s vaccine mandate in North Carolina. Debra Morgan: We’re joined by attorney Katie Abernethy from Noble Law to talk about what those changes mean for companies and workers. Katie, this approval process usually takes years, but, in this case, approval could come in just days. Will that change the roll out and how companies enact …
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Symptoms, Stigmas, and Solutions: Menopause in the Workplace
Menopause is an uncomfortable topic for many, particularly in the workplace. In a society that disproportionately condemns signs of aging in women, it can be difficult to acknowledge the onset of menopause to oneself, let alone supervisors or coworkers. Moreover, when a woman’s merits as an employee are directly linked to her experience and seniority, this pressure to maintain her youth seemingly contradicts the requirements she needs to continue advancing in her career. In this month’s episode of Worksights, Laura …
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