On April 21, 2023, Sands Anderson attended the Virginia State Bar’s Third Annual Forum on Diversity in the Legal Profession. This well-attended program provided dynamic speakers focused on the topic of diversity, equity, and...more
It’s good to be the King. That is, it’s good to be the Commonwealth of Virginia or one of its political subdivisions (i.e., state agencies, counties, cities, incorporated towns, school divisions, and more) when it comes to...more
Today—July 1, 2022—marks the effective date for a handful of new Virginia laws that public and private employers should note. Given that the General Assembly was divided this year, with the Republicans in charge of the House...more
As we recognize Black History Month and the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year, it is a great time to take stock at our organizations and all we are doing to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. This is...more
This morning, President Biden’s administration announced the details of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine mandate he promised in early September.
Under this new regulation, large employers (defined to have 100 or more...more
Yesterday, the Virginia General Assembly adopted the following language to the Governor’s budget appropriations bill, HB 7001, which quickly amends the ambiguous Virginia Overtime Wage Act (VOWA), which—since its passage and...more
As Virginia employers prepare for the new Virginia Overtime Wage Act (VOWA), ambiguities found in the act demand attention from employers, both private and public. We previously summarized the basics of the act here, but as...more
As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out to bring the pandemic under control, many employers are reimagining the future of their traditional workplace—and the future includes remote work! A recent study estimates that 25-30% of the...more
Governor Northam recently signed into law a half dozen new employment laws affecting employers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Among these new laws are two that, beginning on July 1, 2021, will provide new protections for...more
The Virginia General Assembly has passed new employee protections for three classes of workers: military members, individuals with disabilities, and those using cannabis oil for medical reasons....more
In the wake of George Floyd’s death last year, a summer of protests against systemic racism, and a focus on violence against the Asian-American community, employers everywhere are working hard to address the systemic racism...more
Beginning July 1, 2020, employers who cut incorrect paychecks to employees in Virginia may be held accountable in open court. Virginia’s new Wage Theft Law (HB123/SB838) presents a major change for employers — one of several...more
Do I have to pay my employees time they are taking sick leave because of COVID-19?
Generally no, unless your existing policies and procedures require you to do so. At the moment, Virginia does not have any state laws...more
The guide, written by Sands Anderson’s Employment Law Team and edited by attorney C. Michael DeCamps, provides summaries of key Virginia employment statutes and principles of employment law. The summaries are not intended to...more
2/5/2018
/ At-Will Employment ,
COBRA ,
Court Appearances ,
Criminal Background Checks ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Health Insurance ,
Minors ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wage Garnishment ,
Workplace Safety
Facebook recently announced a new policy: At least 33% of the lawyers hired to represent the social media giant must be a female or minority. Law firms vying to service Facebook’s legal work must demonstrate their active...more
Police officers in Petersburg had a First Amendment right to post to Facebook their complaints about their police department. A department policy limiting social media postings was unconstitutional. So held the U.S. Court...more
Yesterday, a Texas federal judge put a halt on the new overtime rules spearheaded by President Obama’s administration that were to take effect on December 1. Businesses everywhere have gone into overtime to prepare for the...more
Should attempts to settle discrimination lawsuits with the EEOC be made in good faith? Employers in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana think so and hope the Supreme Court of the United States will agree. ...more
In this Guide:
- Employment At-Will
- Right to Work
- Employment of Children
- Restrictive Covenants in Employment Contracts
- Virginia Human Rights Act
- Virginians with Disabilities...more
1/30/2015
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
At-Will Employment ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Contract ,
Equal Pay ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Human Rights Code ,
Medical Examinations ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Right to Work ,
Wage and Hour ,
Whistleblower Protection Policies ,
Workplace Safety
In this guide:
- Employment At-Will
- Right to Work
- Employment of Children
- Restrictive Covenants in Employment Contracts
- Virginia Human Rights Act
- Virginians with Disabilities...more
1/9/2014
/ At-Will Employment ,
Child Labor ,
Disability ,
Employee Rights ,
Employment Contract ,
Equal Pay ,
Genetic Testing ,
Minimum Wage ,
PHI ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Right to Work ,
Safety Precautions ,
Unemployment ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wage Garnishment ,
Whistleblower Protection Policies ,
Whistleblowers
Victims of domestic violence often keep their secrets hidden from the workplace until they need leave to go to court, or don’t show up for work one day due to physical or psychological harm caused by a spouse or loved one....more
Video transcript: Employment separations are never easy or pleasant, but at times, you may find it necessary and in the best interest of your business. Whether you need to lay off an employee because of the economy or fire...more
On a construction site, isn’t it enough to protect employees from existing hazards? And what does it matter if no one actually got hurt? The Sixth Circuit recently answered these questions: “No it’s not enough,” and...more