Francesca’s Acquisition LLC Suffers Data Breach Revealing Consumer Information

Francesca’s Acquisition, LLC reported to the Attorney General of Maine that an unauthorized party had gained illicit access to certain parts of its computer network on September 25, 2023. The breached segment of the network reportedly contained sensitive consumer data, prompting Francesca’s to issue a public notice. According to the notice, the extent of the…

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EPA Moves Forward on Designating PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous under CERCLA: Implications for Superfund Sites and Cleanup Projects

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is progressing with a proposed rule to designate perfluorooctanic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”), two per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), as hazardous substances under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). This move, if finalized, may have vast implications on closed and in-progress…

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Deciphering Salaries: Exempt and Non-Exempt Employee Status Misconceptions Revealed

In the world of corporate law, the term “salary” is a common point of confusion due to differences in usage across employee categories. Despite its ubiquity, it carries specific nuances when applied to distinct employee groupings: exempt and non-exempt. Often, these implications can have significant legal consequences that tend to baffle employers. According to a…

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EEOC Sues Nonprofit Didlake for ADA Violations, Alleges Discrimination Against Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Employees

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against nonprofit organization Didlake, Inc., a government contractor known for providing janitorial and maintenance employees to federal worksites across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The nonprofit is charged with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the lawsuit, Didlake failed in providing…

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ADP Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Overtime Hours Suppression: Impact on Corporate Integrity and Employee Rights

Major payroll software provider ADP has been accused of pressuring their employees not to report overtime hours, according to a lawsuit uncovered by Law.com Radar. This complaint highlights the ethical concerns within corporate legal frameworks regarding fair compensation and working hours. Based in East Brunswick, New Jersey, ADP is a titan in its industry, servicing…

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Illinois Legislation Expansion: Increased Access to Punitive Damages and Expedited Trials

Recently passed legislation in Illinois significantly broadens access to punitive damages and expedited trials, establishing a new landscape for litigation in the state. In particular, Illinois House Bill 219 and Illinois Senate Bill 1748 have been designed to help plaintiffs, especially those in wrongful death and survival cases, and senior citizens. As reported by Harris…

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SEC Approves Clawback Listing Standards: Steps to Ensure Compliance for Listed Companies

On June 9, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) and Nasdaq Stock Market’s (Nasdaq) proposed clawback listing standards. The amendments not only outlined the listing standards but also delayed the effective date of the rules to October 2, 2023. As per the newly approved standards, all listed…

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Box Inc. Faces Lawsuit Over Inadequate Compensation for Remote Employees

Cloud storage provider Box Inc. has found itself facing an employment action in California state court. The lawsuit alleges the company fell short in adequately compensating their remote employees. The areas of contention include expense reimbursements for necessities such as internet connections, office space, supplies, as well as valuable equipment. Furthermore, it claims the company…

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Privacy Industry Salary Trends: Navigating Negotiations and Job Satisfaction in 2023

In the sphere of data privacy, salary negotiations can be fraught with tension and apprehension. Employees wrestle with the decision between asking for an increase in compensation or seeking opportunities elsewhere. However, according to the 2023 IAPP & TRU Privacy Professionals Salary Survey, these concerns seem to be of less significance in the privacy industry….

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COVID-19 Workplace Death Eligible for Workers’ Compensation: Arizona Court Ruling

In a recent ruling, the Arizona Court of Appeals established that an office worker’s death from COVID-19 could qualify for workers’ compensation, provided statutory requirements are satisfied. This decision is in direct response to the case of Kenneth Zerby, a design engineer who succumbed to the disease while working for Western Millwork in October 2020….

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Navigating Executive Compensation: Ensuring Alignment with Regulations and Company Goals

As economic volatility and regulatory changes continue to put a spotlight on executive pay, it becomes increasingly crucial to ensure that your company’s executive compensation schemes are working. This notion forms the fourth part in a series looking at the health of employee benefit plans, this week focusing on executive compensation. The compensation packages for…

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CFPB Reconsiders Stance on Loan Originator Compensation: What Lies Ahead for Mortgage Lenders?

In an interesting shift, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) seems to be realigning its long-standing position on loan originator compensation. As reported, many residential mortgage lenders at present, have compensation structures that provide for a payout to loan originator in the form of a single commission amount for loans financed by the lender, and…

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Navigating Legal Changes: Optimal Employee Onboarding in the Current Climate

In the professional world, an efficient and well-executed employee onboarding process can be instrumental. It allows companies to not only recruit and retain top talent, but also fulfill legal obligations, secure necessary protections, and prevent expensive errors. Furthermore, staying updated on recent legal changes that could potentially influence how organizations onboard is crucial. The recent…

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Ninth Circuit Ruling Sheds Light on Indirect Compensation and Service Agreement Modifications

In a recent court ruling which is causing ripples in the legal sector of employee benefits, the Ninth Circuit Court concluded that plan fiduciaries were engaged in prohibited transactions following the modification of an existing recordkeeping contract, including the addition of brokerage and investment advisory services. This legal development is covered in detail by JDSupra….

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