Standing up for your rights at work can feel empowering, but what happens when your employer responds negatively? Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for exercising their legal rights. Understanding the warning signs can help you...
As a newly onboarded employee, you may still be becoming familiar with how pay works in your new role. This can create uncertainty regarding whether your paycheck reflects all compensable time worked. In Virginia, wage and hour standards primarily derive from the...
No one likes losing their job, so it is not surprising that employees are often “disgruntled” when their employer lets them go. While Virginia generally allows employers to fire their workers at will, different rules may apply to employees who hold a contract. As an...
Being accused of professional malpractice can be stressful and unsettling. Your reputation, livelihood and future work may feel at risk the moment an allegation is raised. Even experienced professionals can feel overwhelmed when their judgment or conduct is...
Flat pay often attracts employers who want cost certainty and simpler payroll planning. A day rate or job rate can also seem aligned with project-based work or field operations. However, Virginia wage rules often track federal standards that examine substance over...
As an employer, you may believe that a dress code would enhance the workplace. Maybe you just want it to feel more professional or you want a greater sense of consistency among the staff. Maybe you want a very specific dress code, such as a company uniform, because it...
You started your new business a year ago, and it has been fairly successful. Wanting to find out what was being said about your company online, you decided to search for your business name. To your surprise, you found that another business either has the same name or...
Employees have specific rights in the workplace, none of which should be violated by employers. Even though those rights are normally respected, there are times when employees may have to speak up about illegal activities within the company. Some of those may be wary...
This time of year, Christmas is the holiday that dominates the media and public conversation – not to mention the stores. However, multiple religions celebrate holidays in November and December. This seems like a good time to discuss the legal protections against...
Overtime is an opportunity for professionals to increase their take-home pay. Hourly workers and non-exempt salaried employees are typically eligible for overtime pay if they put in more than 40 hours in a specific workweek. Federal law requires that employers provide...
