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Ohio Supreme Court Allows Limits on Maternity Leave

June 24, 2010

The Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that it is not gender discrimination for an employer to deny maternity leave to a worker after approximately eight months of employment. The Court found that where a company employment policy requires a minimum term of service before any employee is eligible for leave, that policy is not direct evidence of sex discrimination under Ohio’s civil rights statutes as long as the policy is uniformly applied to all employees. Read More...

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Same Court + Same Police Uniform = Different Result as to Compensability for

April 01, 2008

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) time spent performing preliminary or postliminary activities are non-compensable. 29 U.S.C. §254. However, the US Supreme Court held in IBP Inc. V. Alvarez, 546 U.S. 21 (2005), that time spent on activities which are "integral and indispensable" to the performance of principle activities are compensable under the FLSA. In the span of four (4) months the United States District Court for Northern District of California addressed this issue as applied to the donning and doffing of police uniforms yielding opposite results. Read More...

Caution: Smoking May be Hazardous to Your Career

April 01, 2008

Generally, employees who smoke at work have no reason for concern so long as they are not in violation of a specific work rule or the Ohio Smoke Free Workplace Act. However, the recent actions of Whirlpool may have employees who smoke thinking twice before lighting up at work. Whirlpool, in Evansville Ind., suspended 39 employees in mid-April who were observed smoking on the employer's premises. The suspensions were not for smoking, but rather lying on their health insurance enrollment application. Each of the suspended employees had previously attested that they did not use tobacco in exchange for a discount on their premiums. Read More...

Job Related Discrimination Charges Soar in 2007

April 01, 2008

According to a press release issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), private sector discrimination charges rose 9% from 75,768 in 2006 to 82,792 in 2007. This represents the largest annual increase in charges filed in 15 years. The EEOC's statistics also show that it recovered $345 million in monetary relief. These charges resulted in 336 lawsuits being filed with 116 involving multiple claimants and/or employees affected by discriminatory policies. Considering the drastic increase in charges filed, employers are well advised to stay ever vigilant in the drafting, implementing and enforcement of workplace policies and procedures. Below is a brief summary of the major categories as reported by the EEOC. Read More...

Noteworthy News

April 01, 2008

Noteworthy News at DHF Law. Read More...

Schedule of Events

April 01, 2008

Schedule of Events at DHF Law. Read More...

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Approves First Premium Rate Decrease.

April 01, 2008

On March 28, 2008, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) approved a five-percent overall premium rate decrease for private employers, effective July 1, 2008. This marks the first premium rate decrease for Ohio's private employers since 2001. Read More...

Benjamin S. Albrecht Named Partner

July 15, 2008

Downes, Hurst & Fishel, LLP is pleased to announce that Benjamin S. Albrecht has been named Partner in the firm. Read More...

Court Extends Immunity To Corrections Facility

July 15, 2008

An Ohio Court held a jail immune from lawsuit in a case recently defended by DH&F. The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas has ruled that a corrections facility is not liable for injuries sustained by an inmate who was performing community service while incarcerated. Read More...

Ethics Commission Cautions Against Nepotism In Summer Hires

July 15, 2008

At its May 29, 2008 meeting, the Ohio Ethics Commission issued a bulletin reminding public officials about the restrictions in Ohio's Ethics Law against hiring family members and as a reminder about hiring for summer jobs. Read More...

Leglislative Watch: New Rule Affecting CDLs

July 15, 2008

NEW RULE AFFECTING CDLs: On June 25, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued changes to its mandates on drug testing of some employees. Read More...

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SERB Fact-Finding Conference 2010

September 10, 2010

Cheri B. Hass will be presenting on the topic of How to Prepare for the Fact Finding Hearing at the SERB Fact-Finding Conference 2010. This seminar will be held September 10, 2010 at the ODOT/ODPS Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio. Please contact SERB at Timothea.johnson@serb.state.oh.us for registration information.  Read More...

Ohio Government Finance Officers Association

September 15, 2010

Jonathan J. Downes has been invited to present at the Ohio Government Finance Officers Association’s 2010 Annual Conference.  Jonathan will be presenting on September 15, 2010, at 11:15 a.m. on Current Trends in Collective Bargaining.  The conference is being held from September 15 - 17, 2010, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Read More...

Lorman Education Services

September 29, 2010

Lorman Education Services has invited Jonathan J. Downes to present on the topic of “Overview to Ohio Unemployment Law Eligibility of Benefits” on September 29, 2010.  Location of the seminar will be the Holiday Inn Hotel Suites, Columbus Airport.  Suggested participants of this seminar are H.R. professionals, business owners, payroll professionals and attorneys. Read More...

Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association

December 02, 2010

Jonathan J. Downes will be presenting on the topic of Collective Bargaining Updates and Unfair Labor Practice at the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Annual Meeting, on December 2 and 3, 2010.  This presentation will be held at the Hyatt on Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio. Read More...

Sterling Education Services Inc.

December 07, 2010

Termination Best Practices will be the topic discussed by Cheri B. Hass at a seminar sponsored by Sterling Education Services Inc.  This presentation will take place December 7th, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.  An impressive team of attorneys who specialize in all aspects of labor and employment law at both the state and federal level will be presenting on issues “beyond the basics” including Health Care Reform and wage and hour classification crack down.  For registration information, visit sterlingeducation.com. Read More...