Franciscan VNS Home Care pays $3.65M to settle overtime claims
Occupational therapists, physical therapists and registered nurses have received payments from the settlement, while almost a third will go toward attorney fees.
Employment Law
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Indiana executive-branch employee misreported work hours, report finds
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file criminal charges in the case because the state employee paid back the full amount of $7,617.50 in restitution.
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Doctors ask lawmakers to free them from noncompete agreements
The Legislature is considering a bill that put Indiana on a list of more than a dozen other states that expressly prohibit or sharply limit non-compete agreements for physicians and other patient-care professionals.
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Bill Oesterle awarded $7.2M in lawsuit against Iowa car repair shop
Angie’s List co-founder Oesterle had filed suit against a classic-car restoration shop alleging that the company had, among other things, overbilled him for repairs, charged him for unauthorized work and sold one of his cars without permission.
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Exotic dancers raise veil on job-classification issue
Two lawsuits filed against Indianapolis strip clubs are putting a spotlight on an increasingly common question: When is an independent contractor really an employee?
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Articles
Appeals court rules former COO did not violate noncompete agreement
Judge Nancy Vaidik wrote that Greenwood-based RevOne Cos. failed to demonstrate that its former chief operating officer took or threatened to take its confidential information.
Council committee picks law firm Fisher Phillips for city harassment probe
The Indianapolis City-County Council Investigative Committee voted Wednesday evening to select national law firm Fisher Phillips to conduct an independent investigation into the Hogsett administration’s handling of sexual harassment allegations.
Lowe’s changes some DEI policies in wake of high court decision
The home improvement chain joined the ranks of several other companies that have altered their programs after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
New rules add clarity to Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The EEOC’s final rules are considered by many to be a win over discrimination against pregnant workers. But some oppose provisions that offer time off and other job accommodations for abortions.
Indiana Attorney General Rokita weighs in on pronouns in the workplace
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a ruling Wednesday, saying that “neither state nor federal law requires a coworker to use the preferred pronouns and names of fellow employees.”
Corporate transparency: New federal law imposes reporting requirements on some businesses
The law is intended to provide law enforcement with ownership information about many companies for the purpose of detecting, preventing and punishing terrorism, money laundering and other misconduct through business entities.
Groups sue to block FTC’s new rule barring noncompete agreements
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups on Wednesday sued the Federal Trade Commission over a new rule that would make most noncompete agreements illegal, setting up a potential showdown over the scope of the agency’s authority.
Indiana Senate panel advances bill to prohibit non-compete agreements for physicians
It’s the latest in a series of bills meant to address the high cost of health care in Indiana, as well as the physician shortage and patients’ rights.
Court awards former SerVaas Labs employee $490K for unpaid bonus
A judge ruled plaintiff Marc A. “Tony” Patterson deserved a much larger bonus than he received from SerVaas Laboratories after his sales of cleaning product Bar Keepers Friend soared in the first part of 2020.
Appeals court rules Indiana not liable for AG Hill’s misconduct
Three of the four women who accused former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of groping them cannot sue the state, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, finding the legislative staffers were employed by the Indiana House and Senate, not the state itself.
More than 150 workers at one hospital system fired, resign over vaccine
Legal experts say such vaccine requirements, particularly in a public health crisis, will probably continue be upheld in court as long as employers provide reasonable exemptions, including for medical conditions or religious objections.
Senate approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
The bill would lead to Juneteenth becoming the 12th federal holiday. It is expected to easily pass the House, which would send it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Former head of Eskenazi burn unit sues IU Health, IU medical school
A prominent Indianapolis surgeon is suing Indiana University and Indiana University Health, claiming they broke his contract and interfered with his ability to get another job.
Indiana House approves COVID-19 liability protection bill
The House voted 76-20 to approve the bill on Monday. Two Republicans—Reps. John Jacob of Indianapolis and Curt Nisly of Milford—joined 18 Democrats in voting against it.
Bill that would bar Indiana employers from requiring vaccinations sparks heated debate
The measure, Senate Bill 74, would allow workers to decline any immunizations for medical, religious or personal reasons. The Pensions and Labor Committee heard testimony Wednesday but delayed a vote.
Supreme Court sides with Catholic schools in employment suit
The court said separation of church and state means that religious groups must be allowed to hire and fire individuals who serve as teachers or messengers of their faith without court interference.
Supreme Court says employers may opt out of birth control mandate
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that employers and universities are allowed to opt out of the Affordable Care Act requirement to provide contraceptive care because of religious or moral objections.
UPDATE: Supreme Court says gay, transgender workers protected by federal discrimination law
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees, a major gay rights ruling written by one of the court’s most conservative justices.
Lawmakers move bill that updates rules for employing minors
Senate Bill 409, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, eliminates the work permit requirement for minors and tweaks some of the hours they can work.