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Recent Articles from Howard Rubin and Don Stait
ACA compliance deadline extended by one year
The Obama administration announced earlier this month that businesses will be provided a one-year reprieve before they are required to comply with the mandate to provide all employees with […]
Kitzhaber signs workplace social media bill into law
On May 22, Gov. John Kitzhaber signed into law a bill prohibiting Oregon employers from requiring or requesting that employees or job applicants provide access to personal social media […]
Federal OSHA鈥檚 move supports unionization
In an unprecedented and controversial move, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last month released an interpretation letter explaining that the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the […]
Portland’s sick-leave law raises questions
One month after Portland commissioners approved a city-wide sick leave law, which goes into effect next year, employers say questions remain concerning enforcement, application and matters such as how benefits will be affected and how the new law applies to unionized workers.
2012 do-over looming for the NLRB
In vacating an unfair labor practice determination on the grounds that the National Labor Relations Board lacked a legitimate quorum when it issued its decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has opened the door to invalidating virtually all of the NLRB鈥檚 decisions during 2012.
Lessons from a key termination case
In Jaszczyszyn v. Advantage Health Physician Network, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that the company did not violate the Family and Medical Leave Act when it terminated the plaintiff while she was on medical leave, after discovering that Facebook photos showed she was attending a festival with friends.
America decides to stay the course: How will employers be affected?
The 2012 election is over, and it鈥檚 a whole new ballgame for America. We have a bright, young president, the Republicans control the U.S. House of Representatives and the Democrats […]
NLRB opinion offers social media policy insight for employers
Social media websites are a relatively new phenomenon, and employer policies that establish what employees may post on those websites have been the (moving) target of labor disputes and litigation. […]
New challenges for contractors: financial whistle-blowers
Savvy employers long ago recognized the risk of retaliation claims whenever an employee reported discriminatory practices. Now, a new challenge faces employers, particularly contractors and agents of companies that conduct […]
WARN Act guidance for federal contractors
What does a government contractor do if the federal government suddenly, and without notice, cuts funding to its project? What if the funding cuts compel the contractor to close a […]
NLRB applies election interference criteria to employee petitions
In a recent 2-1 decision, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that a grocery store violated Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act when it required its employees to […]
NLRB acting general counsel issues guidance on social media policies 鈥� again
The good news is that the National Labor Relations Board’s acting general counsel has issued guidance that provides employers clear advice relating to the rapidly evolving area of social media. […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
