New England Biz Law Update

A Georgia-based aviation staffing company has been sued under the Fair Labor Standards Act and North Carolina wage law over allegations that it used a “per diem” compensation structure to avoid properly paying overtime to mechanics and technicians.

A group of Democratic senators has urged the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to retain language in its Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regulations expressly referencing in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments, warning that removing the language could create confusion for employers and employees alike.

A federal appeals court has indicated that an employer’s administration of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act may give rise to an interference claim where the process itself becomes overly burdensome, even if leave is not formally denied. ...

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a complaint against a software company, alleging that it used a separate and ineffective recruiting process to deter U.S. workers from applying for certain roles while favoring foreign workers seeking permanent residency.

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule to clarify when multiple businesses may be considered joint employers under federal wage and hour laws, aiming to create a more consistent national standard.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached its first settlement under its Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, marking a significant step in the agency’s use of the False Claims Act to address alleged civil rights violations by entities receiving federal funds.

A federal court in Massachusetts has allowed age discrimination claims against a pharmaceutical company to proceed to trial, finding that a jury could conclude that the company’s interview-based rehiring process was designed in a way that disadvantaged older employees.

A federal court in Alabama has denied a motion to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit brought by a transgender employee, finding that the plaintiff plausibly alleged that she was terminated because of her gender identity.

A newly proposed federal rule could significantly expand financial incentives and protections for employees who report money laundering, sanctions violations, and other financial crimes, with potential payouts reaching into the millions.

A federal judge has granted summary judgment to a hospital employer, finding that a transgender nurse failed to show that her termination was based on gender identity rather than documented performance concerns.