Author Archives: Jay Butchko
EEOC Wins Half Million Verdict In Sex Discrimination Case In Florida
On August 3rd, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published an official press release confirming that the agency has obtained a $500,000 verdict from a federal jury in a Florida sex discrimination case. In this article, you will find a more comprehensive overview of the verdict and an explanation of your right to… Read More »
Florida’s State Minimum Wage Is Rising (September 30th, 2021): A Guide To Your Rights
In November, Florida voters adopted an increase to the state’s minimum wage. Under the law and enabling legislation, the state’s minimum wages will increase from the current rate of $8.65 per hour to $15.00 by 2026. This will happen in incremental increases, one is starting soon. On September 30th, 2021 the Florida minimum wage… Read More »
Chipotle In Florida Pays $70,000 To Settle Workplace Harassment And Retaliation Claim
On August 9th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that a settlement has been reached with a Tampa, FL-based Chipotle location. According to the press release, the Chipotle Services LLC will pay $70,000 to settle an employment retaliation lawsuit. A female manager was allegedly fired by the company after she reported sexual… Read More »
Florida Employer Will Pay More Than Two Dozen Workers $41,000 In Back Wages For Overtime Violations
On August 17th, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that two Florida health care centers with common ownership will pay more than $41,000 in back wages due to overtime violations. The two companies—441 Urgent Care LLC and Santos Primary Care Centers PLLC—shared staff members. However, their ownership did not combine hours worked cross-facility… Read More »
Florida Employer Pays $304,466 In Back Wages To Resolve Special Wage Rate Violations
On August 24th, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that Sunland Center—a state-funded agency for persons with disabilities operating in Jackson County, Florida—will pay $304,466 to 163 different workers. The DOL determined that the employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by paying employees a sub-minimum wage and not offering the support… Read More »
Florida Is A ‘Right-To-Work’ State: Here Is What That Means
As reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), there are 27 ‘right-to-work’ states in the United States. Florida is a ‘right-to-work’ state. In fact, Florida is one of the country’s first ‘right-to-work’ states—adopting the law back in 1943. There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about exactly what this means for an… Read More »
DOL: $162,310 In Back Overtime Pay Recovered For Restaurant Workers In Key West, FL
On June 3rd, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a public statement confirming that three Key West, Florida restaurants—Little Pearl, Thirsty Mermaid, and Antonia’s Key West—have been cited for unpaid overtime violations. In total, the federal agency reports that it collected more than $160,000 in back overtime pay on behalf of nearly four… Read More »
Can A Florida Employer Discriminate Against LGBTQ Workers Based On Customer Preference?
Last June, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark ruling in Bostock v. Clayton Cty., Georgia. In the decision, the court’s majority clarified that LGBTQ workers are already protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ status is a form of sex discrimination. You… Read More »
Miami EEOC Office Hosts Event Highlighting COVID-19 And Impact On Asian-American Employees
Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) hosted a free event to bring attention to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Asian-American community across the country—particularly in regards to “violence, harassment and acts of bias against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).” The event was held in Miami, FL… Read More »
EEOC Files Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against UPS, Alleges Jacksonville, FL Employee Was Unlawfully Terminated
On June 30th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a news release confirming that the agency has filed a disability discrimination lawsuit against UPS on behalf of an employee based in Jacksonville, Florida. The federal agency alleges that the man was wrongfully fired due to his disability status. Below, you will find… Read More »