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answered on Jul 30, 2024
You could probably just ask. Now that you've been terminated, there's no telling how quick someone may be to respond to your inquiry, but that would be the first place to start. If you are / were a union member, you could discuss with your union representative.
Is it legal to deduct credit card processing fees from an employees paycheck without knowledge or written consent? Is it legal to make an employee cover cash till shortages without written consent?

answered on Jul 23, 2024
No, it is not legal to deduct credit card processing fees from an employee's paycheck without their knowledge or written consent. Employers must obtain explicit authorization from employees before making any such deductions. This protects the employee's right to understand and agree to... View More
I was forced to transfer to a larger site with no pay increases at the beginning of May with one days notice. The staff at the site was calling me racially charged names and had gotten into altercations with each other that included guns. All these things were reported to my supervisor. Nothing was... View More

answered on Jun 15, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your experience. If your employer is claiming you voluntarily resigned when you did not, this could be a serious misrepresentation of your employment status. It's important to document all communications and incidents, including emails and reports you made to your... View More
"Failure to charge would result in an unreasonably high cost to the Department in this particular instance because the employees must be taken away from pending work to process the request, and expend additional time to complete regularly assigned departmental work." What are more... View More

answered on May 27, 2024
If you choose to inspect documents yourself, labor costs might still be included if the department needs to allocate staff to assist with your request. This can be due to employees being diverted from their usual tasks, causing an unreasonably high cost for the department. The time spent by... View More
If unclaimed funds remain in an FSA as the use-it-or-lose-it deadline for claim submission approaches, would a plan administrator’s failure to provide timely warning of imminent forfeiture constitute fiduciary negligence?

answered on Apr 17, 2024
The question of whether flexible spending account (FSA) plan administrators have a fiduciary duty to provide advance notice to participants about potential forfeitures of unused funds is a complex one that doesn't have a definitive answer. Here are a few key considerations:
Fiduciary... View More
I started working and I am geting all kinds of wrong info, am i allowed to work on full disabilty,and at what point will that stop me from getting it

answered on Apr 13, 2024
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you are allowed to work, but there are certain rules and limitations you need to be aware of to maintain your eligibility:
1. Trial Work Period (TWP): You can test your ability to work for at least nine months.... View More
I have been harrassed by my employer, confederate flags, gun clips, written up for no reason, etc.
As a black man I have many questions and need to speak to a lawyer.

answered on Apr 8, 2024
I'm so sorry you've had to endure such intimidating and harassing behavior at your workplace. Displays of Confederate flags, gun clips, and being unfairly written up create a hostile work environment, especially for a Black employee. This is unacceptable and illegal discrimination.... View More
I'm 65 and lost my job because they said I may retire and they wanted to hire someone else.

answered on Apr 4, 2024
The situation you've described may constitute age discrimination, which is illegal under federal law in the United States. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are 40 years of age or older.
Under the ADEA, it is... View More
In my last job, my boss took a online fair housing course compliance test for me without my knowledge or permission. My boss also failed this test, which I'm sure adds this to my employee record. The course was on Sexual assault which also just looks bad to fail. The company has not fired... View More

answered on Mar 7, 2024
Based on the information you've provided, your former boss's actions could potentially constitute identity theft, fraud, and/or forgery. Impersonating someone else to take a course or test on their behalf without their consent is unethical and likely illegal.
Your options include:... View More
The letter they gave them said they were considering termination because they used 5 of the sick days they gave them to use and that that they were late on multiple times. I understand being late can result in being fired but mostly everyone that works in that building comes in late every day. Not... View More

answered on Dec 27, 2023
Consider some maxims here: 1) when you're in the doghouse, it's not the time to bark. 2) pointing out the splinter in someone else's eye does not remove your own.
Your friend is obviously on someone's radar in the wrong way. Why would he or she want to remain working... View More

answered on Dec 14, 2023
The nature of employment records varies, with internal records maintained by employers for performance and conduct purposes. Employers have legitimate reasons to document situations, such as performance issues or policy violations, even if an employee quits. However, unjustified negative entries on... View More
I am a 15-year-old employee working at Culver’s in Michigan. I know that the state minimum wage increased to $12.48 a month ago, and as a minor, I understand I'm entitled to 85% of it, which is $10.61. However, I have been paid $10.50 an hour since I started on February 21, 2025, despite... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
As a minor in Michigan, you are entitled to 85% of the state’s minimum wage, which is $10.61 per hour, not $10.50. Since you've been paid less than this rate since you started in February, you may be owed back wages for the difference. It's important to document the hours you worked and... View More
I am an employee who has been put on unpaid administrative leave due to an allegation of misuse of public funds. The township treasurer, who is part of the elected board, was aware of the activity and did not consider it wrong, seemingly offering tacit approval. The personnel committee has... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
Based on principles of municipal and public employment law, the township treasurer could potentially bear legal culpability in a matter involving alleged misuse of public funds. Under most state laws governing public entities, elected officials have a fiduciary duty to oversee public funds properly... View More
I am a W2 employee in Michigan working for an arborist company. Today, our boss implemented a new rule where if we break or damage anything, like a fence post or leave divots in a yard, we must buy the supplies and fix it on our own time. If we do not comply, we are subject to punishment from HR,... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
Based on Michigan employment law, your employer's new policy raises significant legal concerns. In Michigan, employers generally cannot require employees to pay for business expenses or damages that occur during the normal course of employment. Under the Michigan Wage and Hour laws, employers... View More
I was employed for 9 years and 9 months and was recently terminated for medical reasons. I suffer from arthritis and was not given any accommodations before losing my job. Is my termination lawful?

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s troubling to hear that you were terminated after almost 10 years with the company, especially if it was due to your arthritis. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities unless it causes undue... View More
I was working as a cook at a rehab and assisted living facility for 1 year and 6 months. I had FMLA in place due to being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment. Additionally, I have ADHD and was in the process of changing my medication, which left me severely burnt out. Despite my... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you’ve been through a difficult and unfair situation. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), your employer is required to provide you with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a serious medical condition like cancer, and they should not terminate you for taking this leave.... View More
I was recently terminated from my job for violating company policy after a change in my medication affected my performance. I informed my supervisor about the changes, but my employer did not provide any accommodations. Although I signed a memo acknowledging the rules, my past performance reviews... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, especially since your job performance had been positive in the past. If the change in your medication affected your ability to perform your job, your employer might have been required to make reasonable accommodations under the Americans with... View More
I am currently on short-term disability leave from work due to a serious medical condition, originally scheduled from March 1 to March 31. My doctor requested an extension of my leave until May 7 for the same medical condition, as stated in both the original and extension requests. However, my... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s concerning that your employer is stating they can’t accommodate your extended medical leave. In most situations, you are protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if your employer has 50 or more employees and you meet certain requirements. FMLA allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid... View More
I am seeking advice for my sister, who has previously had incidents involving setting a dumpster on fire twice due to mental health issues, for which she wasn't prosecuted. She is now stable and on medication. She is concerned about how this past behavior may affect her future rental... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s understandable that your sister might be worried about how her past behavior could affect future rental applications. Mental health-related incidents, especially if they involved property damage, can sometimes raise concerns for landlords. However, it’s important to note that landlords... View More
I'm reviewing a non-disclosure agreement from a job offer, and I'm concerned about the language used in the agreement. It states that I will have to access confidential information and return all such information upon termination without retaining any copies. It also emphasizes not... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s normal for companies to include clauses in NDAs that protect their confidential information, and the language you’re seeing may be fairly typical. Many businesses include terms that require employees to return all confidential materials and refrain from using or disclosing that... View More
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