For instance, say I need legal help with a start-up I'm trying to launch. I reach out to an attorney who works for a law firm who who says he's offering pro-bono legal services. I develop a relationship with this attorney and we agree on a deal that says he will take equity in my company... Read more »

The answer depends upon the relationship that this attorney has with the law firm. It is possible that this attorney has some type of non-compete clause, or some other provision in a contract with the employer preventing the lawyer from self-dealing. So much of the answer to your question depends... Read more »
I accepted an offer for a position. I gave notice to my current employer. 7 days later the company I accepted the offer from rescinded the offer stating they are reevaluating the position and the needs for the position. My current employer will not retain me as they have already reorganized the... Read more »

The question is how was the offer worded ? We would need to determine whether you were an "employee at will" or had an enforceable contract.
Unless you have a specific contract to work for a period of time (years), you, and most employees, are "employees at will",... Read more »
My employer furlough me, and now they are offering either to go back with salary reduction, or quit! in case I quit I would not take the previous year annual bonus which is due by the end of March. Is this legal?

While your situation seems unfair, there is nothing inherently unlawful about reducing your pay (as long as you still make at least minimum wage for all hours worked).
Upstairs have they have food servers totally different job description, down stairs they force the cna's to do it, but cna's upstairs do not. They have activities up and down stairs when they go home, they are now trying to add that to do when they go home, when upstairs cna's do not... Read more »

Unless you have an employment contract dictating otherwise, your employer can generally add to or change your job duties at any time for any reason, as long as it not for an unlawful reason. What you are describing sounds unfair, but it is not unlawful. However, your employer must pay you for all... Read more »
After hire, I was told that apparently I will need a vehicle to get the job that I was hired for done. I ended up buying a car just for this job to be used at work only. Apart from commute to and from work, I spend the whole work day needing my car to oversee areas of the property. I didn't... Read more »

Generally, employees do not need to be reimbursed or paid during travel time to and from work. However, miles driven during work (after you clock in and before you clock out) need to be reimbursed if your vehicle expenses would bring your hourly rate below the state and federal minimum wage. For... Read more »
violation at the very least, since these are employees of staffing agencies, who are the real "covered entities" here. They supply the WC insurance, payroll, are the holders of their personnel records, etc. They also almost all have provisions written into their contracts that state... Read more »

The employer can communicate directly with the temp employment agency that supplied the employees of the employer's requirement that the temp employees obtain and pass a DOT physical. It is, likely, not appropriate for the employer to communicate this need directly to contracted employees... Read more »
The temp agency is out of New York. I know that New York does not offer time and a half on Sunday's, but I was wondering since I am working at a retail store here in Massachusetts should I be getting paid time and a half? I know there is some law about time and a half on Sundays working in... Read more »

Federal law only requires that you be paid time and a half for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek (regardless of which days you work). While your employer may offer time and a half or increased pay on weekends as an incentive to work these days, they are not required to do so.
I am a Masters' graduate from a STEM degree. I graduated in May 2020 so I am currently on OPT. I was given a confirmed written offer by a company, but when they were doing background checks etc, they asked me about my visa status. I told them I was on STEM OPT so I officially had 3 years of... Read more »

If employment is at will, then there is probably nothing you can do about it. It is hard to say if discrimination based on visa status is valid, given a company’s long-term goals. Your best option would be to discuss your case with an attorney with knowledge of workplace issues.
Can an employee who already has intermittent FMLA attempt to use it after missing work for condition even if it wasn’t approved as it was reported late, but manager encouraged it. Then fires them for attempting to use it months later?

More information is needed here. An employee is usually required to follow the employer's defined protocols when using FMLA leave. I would reach out to an employment law attorney in your state.
Does an employer have the right to terminate your employment for attempting to use FMLA for a day of work when you already have FMLA benefits?
Could this be considered retaliation?
What is considered by law FMLA retaliation?

Hi. If you can show that your attempt to use FMLA was the reason for your termination, you may have a claim for retaliation. Retaliation can be shown through different factors: the proximity in time between your attempted FMLA use and your termination, hostility towards you after FMLA use/attempt... Read more »
I was a Ph.D. student working with my professor at University. We together applied for two patents, which were approved in the U.S. and Europe. My professor later started a company and licensed these patents from the University. Recently on the news, a large company sub-licensed these patents again... Read more »

Sorry, I wish I had better news, but you very likely are not entitled to any money from the patent.
Generally, when you are a Graduate Research Assistant, you are getting paid, either as a salary or in lieu of tuition, to do research. You were getting paid. As with any university in the... Read more »

Generally, you must be paid at a rate of no less than minimum wage for all hours worked. Failure to pay you for work you performed 6 weeks ago is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. You should contact an employment lawyer in your area to discuss your situation and inquire about violations... Read more »
My now ex wife worked with me in my business. She ended up having an affair with one of our employees. During her deposition she did not admit to a relationship with the employee but as soon as our divorce was final he moved in and made it public through social media. She has posted damaging... Read more »

As counsel has already stated if she's making defamatory statements about your business that is an issue outside your divorce. However, I do think there are issues you could address in your divorce on other matters. First, would be a potential modification if you are unable to make payments... Read more »
i broke my middle toe moving some PT lumber by hand, happened the 26th, nothing was done at work, 27th too much pain, smoked recreational marijuana for pain, 28th woke up with toe black, went to work to show them i was going to ER, now they want statement and drug test, 36 hours after, its now 3rd... Read more »

It is not clear from your question if you have already been to an Emergency Room. If not, then you should go. If you have and they want you to see an orthopedic or podiatrist then you should call one and try to make an appointment. It is very difficult to see anyone now with the virus issues. They... Read more »
I'm a service tech for a franchisee of Panera Bread and Wendy's. I worked there for 18 years. 2 mos ago my boss announced his retirement and his supervisor chose me to take his place (email proof). Right before my supervisors retirement date his boss quit. Someone from another department... Read more »

You may have a claim for gender discrimination under Title VII and state law, but more information is needed to fully evaluate your situation. You should contact an employment attorney in your area as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Work will not allow me to work from home. I need help understanding my options and the best way to proceed but getting this information from work has been exceedingly difficult. I recently requested to start paperwork for short-term disability. This paperwork was provided along with the suggestion... Read more »

I would recommend reaching out to an employment attorney in your state for a consultation. More information is needed on your medical condition to determine if it qualifies as a disability under the ADA. If it does, you might try to request a reasonable accommodation of working from home. Looking... Read more »
Tell me I legally can't have a job

A court or a panel could make a determination that a person is disabled (and hence, unable to work), based on the findings of an examining physician, and that benefits they are slated to receive reflect the fact that they are cannot work. As such, not working would be a condition for benefits. Your... Read more »
In my personal vehicle. Is the driving time considered on the clock time because without the equipment I carry, the job can not be done

It depends. If you drive from your home to your employer's office or warehouse to pick up the specialized equipment (without which you cannot perform your job duties), then drive to the work site from there, the Fair Labor Standards Act typically requires that you are paid for time spent... Read more »
As part of the job I was required to get a medical evaluation before starting, it involved me disclosing any medical conditions I have and some blood work. My blood work came back great, but I have a herniated lumbar disc. Can a job take back their offer, even though I had already signed everything... Read more »

In addition to certain federal agencies that may be able to help you, every state has its own set of employment laws, some of which may cover your particular situation. Contact an employment lawyer near you.
I am an hourly employee. The contract was an "Updated" contract, mid employment. I am a Technician not paid to engineer or invent. Now they want to patent my idea.

If you sign the new contract your employer will probably have the legal right to seek a patent on your idea; and the consideration will be your continued employment, which they may try to make "at will."
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