Effective Jan 1 2014: Portland Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. What Does It Mean To You?

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on Dec 12, 2013

Starting with the New Year, employers in Portland will be expected to follow new rules regarding sick leave for employees.   The ordinance, passed in March 2013 by the City Council, has been supplemented with regulations drafted by the City Attorney’s…

Back Up the Bus: EEOC Scrutiny and New Local Ordinances Create New Liability for Employers’ Use of Background Checks

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on Oct 23, 2013

Most employers routinely use criminal background checks as part of their employee vetting process. In its ongoing work to prevent discrimination in hiring, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken significant steps to limit these checks, due to a…

Do You Know the Laws About Independent Contractors?

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on Mar 13, 2013

What's the difference between an "employee" and an "independent contractor". If you think a worker fits the description for both in some ways, where do you draw the line - and what legal consequences does your company face if you get…