bus law ch 42

exceptions to employment at will doctrine

1. implied-contract exception: provides that an implied employment contract may arise from statements the employer makes e.g. in employee handbook 2. public policy exception: prohibits employers from firing employees engaged in activities that further the public interest e.g. jury duty 3. implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing exception: assumes that every employment contract contains an implicit understanding that the parties will deal fairly with one another

ERISA

federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntary established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans

family and medical leave act (FMLA)

guarantees all eligible employees (worked at least 25 hrs/wk for 12 prior months) up to 12 weeks unpaid leave during any 12 month period

premises rule

if an employee is on company property or traveling for work

employment at will doctrine

provides that a contract of employment for an indeterminate period of time may be terminated at will by either party, at any time, for any reason

immigration reform and control act

requires employers to verify the identity and eligibility of all individuals hired in the US - I9 form

OSHA

requires that every employer furnish to each of his employees employment free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm

workers comp laws

state laws that provide for financial comp to employees/dependents when the covered employee is injured on the job

drug-free workspace act

employers that receive federal financial assistance or have federal contracts worth over $25,000 must develop an anti drug policy for employees, provide drug-free awareness programs for them, and warn them of penalties for violating the anti-drug policy

COBRA

ensures that employees who lose their jobs or have their hours reduced to a level at which they're no longer eligible to receive benefits can continue receiving benefits under employer's policy employee does not get COBRA benefits if -fired for gross misconduct -employer decides to eliminate benefits for all employees

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

covers all employers engaged in interstate commerce or the production of goods for interstate commerce -minimum wage -overtime 1.5x

federal unemployment tax act (FUTA)

created a state system to provide unemployment compensation to qualified employees