Human Resources Report Index-Summary

SAFETY

SALARIES

SALES OF BUSINESSES

– Boeing sale to Spirit AeroSys., pension rights, unlawful interference (D. Kan.), 748

SAME-SEX HARASSMENT

– Co-worker behavior not gender-based (8th Cir.), 1109
– Prompt remedial action precludes liability (11th Cir.), 1248
– Retaliation, retail manager's touching and comments, en banc rehearing granted (11th Cir.), 297

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

– DOMA

– – Equal protection rights, violations (D. Mass.), 766
– – State laws, attorney analysis, 721

SANCTIONS

See PENALTIES

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT (SOX)

– Jurisdiction

– – Coverage of nonpublic subsidiary of publicly-held company, amicus briefs invited (DOL ARB), 540
– – Realty appraiser's amendment not new complaint restarting 180-day clock (D. Conn.), 411

– Patent fraud, no harm to public, investors (2d Cir.), 1168
– Protected activity

– – Auditor complaints in scope of duties, firing (DOL ARB), 158
– – Covered employers, application, SEC amicus curiae brief (5th Cir.), 823
– – Nonprofit organization, rejection of AMA worker's claim (7th Cir.), 357
– – Reasonable belief not shown, firing over unauthorized hedge fund (2d Cir.), 1138

– Retaliation

– – Actual belief of fraud requirement (11th Cir.), 719
– – Arbitration, confirming award for earlier SOX claim, immunity (DOL ARB), 159
– – Discharge claims against private firms advising public mutual funds (D. Mass.), 386; appeal certified, 861
– – Firing executive not named as respondent in OSHA complaint, Ill. public policy (N.D. Ill.), 19
– – Lawsuit stayed for mandatory arbitration, 5-month enforcement delay not waiver (10th Cir.), 440

– SEC violations, retail worker whistleblower complaint untimely (9th Cir.), 1306

SCA

See SERVICE CONTRACT ACT (SCA); STORED COMMUNICATIONS ACT (SCA)

SEC

See SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

SECURITIES

– Brokerages

See FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

– ESOPs

See EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS (ESOPs)

– Stock drop claims

– – American Express, dismissed (S.D.N.Y.), 1188
– – Boston Scientific, settlement approved (D. Mass.), 905
– – BP, imprudent investment (N.D. Ill.), 712
– – Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, no breach, DOL official, attorneys debate rulings, 446
– – Computer Sciences, Moench presumption adopted (9th Cir.), 1083; (amicus brief filed), 1212
– – Courts grapple with issues in 2011, attorneys' predictions, 1377
– – Fannie Mae, ESOP settlement (D.D.C.), 628
– – Ford, settlement (E.D. Mich.), 932
– – 401(k) company stock offering not mandated, presumption of prudence no defense (N.D. Ill.), 525
– – Fremont Gen., 401(k) investors' class certified under FRCP 23(b)(3) (C.D. Cal.), 442
– – Guidant, settlement, motion for final approval (S.D. Ill.), 320; final approval, 992
– – JPMorgan Chase, presumption of prudence not applicable (S.D.N.Y.), 375
– – KB Home, settlement approved (C.D. Cal.), 992
– – KeyCorp, inflated stock, no standing for imprudence claim (N.D. Ohio), 915
– – Lehman Bros., bankruptcy-related claims, directors' fiduciary status (S.D.N.Y.), 158
– – Lincoln Natl., dire circumstances overcome presumption of prudence (E.D. Pa.), 470
– – Marsh & McLennan, class action after N.Y. insurance fraud probe, settlement approval (S.D.N.Y.), 150
– – Medtronic, dismissal on standing and pleading grounds (8th Cir.), 1393
– – Sallie Mae, presumption of prudence intact (S.D.N.Y.), 1057
– – Schering-Plough, class certification requirement (3d Cir.), 20
– – Underfunding, standing to sue after PBGC takeover (U.S., rev den), 37
– – Wachovia, imprudence claim (W.D.N.C.), 889
– – WaMu, consolidated claims settlement, preliminary approval (W.D. Wash.), 903

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

– Dodd-Frank Act

– – Clarity requested, comments posted, 1143
– – Say-on-pay rules, SEC fast-tracking, comments urged, 1217

– SOX whistleblowers, covered employers, application, SEC amicus curiae brief (5th Cir.), 823

SECURITY GUARDS

– Akal Sec.

– – ADA, unaided hearing testing requirements (U.S., rev den), 1241
– – Sex stereotyping, transgendered officer claim (D. Colo.), 799

– AlliedBarton Sec. Servs., religious, national origin bias (3d Cir.), 1052
– Tools and materials, FLSA enterprise coverage, interstate inquiry (11th Cir.), 972
– Wackenhut, religious bias, grooming policy violation (7th Cir.), 940

SEIU

See SERVICE EMPLOYEES (SEIU)

SERVICE CONTRACT ACT (SCA)

– Successor contractors, carryover workforce right of first refusal, DOL proposed rule, 318

SERVICE EMPLOYEES (SEIU)

– Appointments and personnel changes

– – President, Henry interview, organizing, politics, union relationships focus, 527
– – Retirement

– – – Burger, 880
– – – Stern, 404

– Recusal, NLRB's Becker motion denial, IG probe, 711; Becker cleared, no ethics violation, 791

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

– President's Council of Econ. Advisors, annual report to Congress, 190

SETTLEMENTS

– Administrative separation, USPS, no breach of settlement, retaliation (8th Cir.), 888
– Fraud inducement, commissions, Ark. claim (8th Cir.), 495

SEVERANCE PAY AND BENEFITS

– After-acquired evidence, CEO's eligibility (4th Cir.), 802
– ERISA, numerosity, class action decertified (N.D.N.Y.), 693
– N.H., breach of contract, ERISA preemption (D.N.H.), 245
– Refusal of subsidiary job offer, eligibility forfeiture (W.D.N.C.), 553
– Sale of business, payment to transferred employee (3d Cir.), 945
– USERRA, waiver in exchange for pay knowing, voluntary, valid (6th Cir.), 665

SEX DISCRIMINATION

– Arbitration pact severability, claim reinstated (3d Cir.), 664
– Evidence, P.R. doctor's jury award voided (1st Cir.), 1024
– Gender stereotyping, desk clerk prima facie case (8th Cir.), 101
– Harassment

See SEXUAL HARASSMENT
– – Same-sex

See SAME-SEX HARASSMENT

– Hiring

– – Entry-level retail warehouse jobs, settlement (E.D. Ky.), 234
– – Federal contractor enforcement, OFCCP administrative complaint, 1017
– – Firefighter applicants, pretext (8th Cir.), 576
– – Pay and promotions, pharmaceutical firm settlement (S.D.N.Y.), 878
– – Tire-changing jobs, EEOC suit settled (W.D. Wash.), 263

– Insurance agent independent contractor, not “employee” for Title VII purposes (9th Cir.), 856
– Mandatory arbitration

– – Class arbitration, court reversal of prior decision, denial where pact silent (S.D.N.Y.), 822
– – Discipline, demotion, pact enforceability, severance precluded (3d Cir.), 328

– N.M. social worker fired for threats to kill boss (10th Cir.), 1165
– Pattern and practice, Goldman Sachs, class certification (S.D.N.Y.), 987
– Pay and promotions

– – Pharmaceutical sales reps' class action, punitive damages (S.D.N.Y.), 539; settlement, preliminary approval, 763; final approval, 1267
– – Wal-Mart class action, punitive damages claims remanded (9th Cir., en banc), 455; litigation, four cert-worthy issues outlined, chances for SupCt review predicted, 612; (U.S., rev sought), 931; Supreme Court docket, 1069; opposition brief filed (U.S., brief filed), 1156

– Personal company computer use, policy violation, no bias (7th Cir.), 967
– Photos posted on Internet, fire department policies violated (11th Cir.), 241
– Physical ability, post-leave test as pretext, revived (4th Cir.), 409
– Promotions

– – Glass ceiling, restaurant, EEOC settlement (D. Colo.), 7
– – Qualifications, pretext (10th Cir.), 214

– Railroad brakeman/flagman, female, fired for derailment (6th Cir.), 604
– Retaliation

– – Administrative exhaustion jurisdictional, not affirmative defense (10th Cir.), 1194
– – Arbitration compelled for retail worker, may litigate state tortious (E.D. Pa.), 1392
– – Breaks policy, duty rotation not “materially adverse,” vacated (1st Cir.), 549
– – Documentary evidence, HR executive's use protected (N.J.), 1336
– – Education discrepancy in promotion denial, poor performance review, revived (D.C. Cir.), 633
– – Insubordination, comparator evidence lacking (7th Cir.), 577
– – Limited pregnancy leave options, return to work, male replacement less qualified (E.D. Ark.), 1193
– – Mixed-motive theory viable post-Gross (5th Cir.), 382
– – Passive bystander, no participation, opposition activity by fired boyfriend (U.S., amicus brief filed), 597; (rev grant), 707; Supreme Court docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1321
– – VA technicians lack “materially adverse action” (1st Cir.), 1392

– RIF, university systems analyst claim (3d Cir.), 1053
– Serious breach of procedure, nonprofit administrator burden not met (1st Cir.), 1333
– Worksharing accord, state agency's loss of jurisdiction not binding on EEOC, timely suit revived (10th Cir.), 464

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

– Affirmative defense

– – Co-worker violation, prompt remedial action (11th Cir.), 16
– – Hospital's “prompt and adequate” remedial actions (3d Cir.), 45
– – Prompt corrective action precludes liability (8th Cir.), 1273
– – Supervisor was alleged harasser, airline worker's claim revived (2d Cir.), 213

– Assault by registered sex offender, employer liability (Cal. Ct. App.), 1220
– Attorneys' fees, class suit, prevailing party recovery from EEOC (N.D. Iowa), 179
– Attraction not proof for sex-based hostile environment (1st Cir.), 662
– Battery, reduced damages (11th Cir.), 46; (U.S., rev den), 1076
– Breastfeeding at work, comments insufficient for hostile environment (D. Colo.), 1023
– Defamation, CEO libel claims dismissed (U.S., rev den), 542
– Disparate treatment, technician claim (2d Cir.), 909
– Failure to investigate, response to complaint inadequate, punitive damages upheld (6th Cir.), 438
– Food services

– – Chicago restaurants, slurs, touch, threats, EEOC class suits (N.D. Ill.), 1047
– – Continuing violation by female manager, prior sexual relationship no bar to reinstatement (7th Cir.), 155

– Janitorial firm, violations including rape, EEOC settlement (E.D. Cal.), 963
– Limitations period, lone remark not sufficient to revive prior time-barred misconduct (2d Cir.), 691
– Offensive remarks toward female doctor, “because of,” EEOC suit (4th Cir.), 690
– Prompt remedial action, therapist damages award (8th Cir.), 940
– Reasonable belief, good faith basis for firing, ageist comment stray remark, ADEA claim rejected (5th Cir.), 268
– Retaliation

– – Boss's threats to “choke” or “kill,” secretary claim revived (2d Cir.), 744
– – Firing months after complaint, inventory errors doom complaint (8th Cir.), 520
– – Mandatory arbitration, waivers render agreement enforceable (2d Cir.), 187
– – Nursing home residents, housekeeper verdict (7th Cir.), 717
– – Opposition activities

– – – Assistance to sexually harassed subordinate protected activity (1st Cir.), 884
– – – Internal investigation, 3d party report, discharge (M.D. Tenn.), 128
– – – Post-discharge insurance cancellation, time-barred claim (N.J.), 80

– – Title VII coverage threshold, claim against trucking firm (S.D. Ind.), 1334
– – Title VII “participation” protection (7th Cir.), 968
– – Totality of the circumstances standard, physician-owned clinic (5th Cir.), 17
– – Untimely internal complaint, denial of equitable tolling (5th Cir.), 75

– Same-sex

See SAME-SEX HARASSMENT

– Shared office, boss' intrusive stance as hostile environment (1st Cir.), 1136
– S.C., retail manager “supervisor” status, state-law claim (4th Cir.), 381
– Successor liability, appeal (8th Cir.), 1081
– Untimely disclosure in bankruptcy filing, claim barred (6th Cir.), 910

SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION

– Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3017, S 1584

– Va., protection cut under executive order, 180

SHIPYARDS

– Bollinger Shipyards, disability benefits, undocumented worker entitlement under LHWCA (5th Cir.), 469
– Grand Isle Shipyard, OCSLA, contractors' mutual indemnity provisions void under La. law (U.S., rev den), 627
– Northrup Grumman, La. plant closure, job cuts, 795

SICK LEAVE

– Bogus excuses, survey, 1185
– Healthy Families Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2460, S 1152

– Paid time off

– – Impact report, infected employees in workplace during H1N1 pandemic, 157
– – Legislation favored by most Americans, survey, 688
– – Restaurant workers, paid leave urged, health risks, report, 1085

SKILLED LABOR

– Russia, foreign workers, employment status bill signed, 586

SKILLS

– Youth lacking basic job skills, report, 1199

SLEEPING ON THE JOB

– Wyo. law good-faith standard, application (10th Cir.), 775

SMALL BUSINESSES

– Health care tax credits

– – Form 8941 guidance, 1294
– – Nonelective contributions, IRS guidance, 486
– – PPACA

See generally PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (PPACA)

– – Transition relief, IRS FAQ, 376

– HIRE Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2847

– Immigration key to entrepreneurship, economic growth, Chamber forum, 1279
– Job creation

– – Ill., tax credit program, bill signed, 404
– – Lending

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 5297

– – Obama administration criticized, surveys, 767

– OSHA

– – Consultations, SHARP status, inspections proposed, 969
– – Injury and illness prevention rule

See OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

– – VPP, on-site consultations, impact, GOP letter, 1276

– P.J. Trucking, sexual harassment, retaliation, Title VII threshold (S.D. Ind.), 1334
– PPACA

See PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (PPACA)

– Private sector, SBA report, 276
– Retirement plans

– – Boost from health care taxes, 378
– – Contributions, safe harbor, DOL final rule, 71
– – Options, DOL and AICPA website launched, 1131

– Stock income exclusion

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4849

– Veteran Employment Assistance Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 3234

SMOKING

– Anti-smoking policies, WFS 11 (1/25/10)
– Cost estimates, WFS 5 (1/25/10)
– Legal issues, challenges, WFS 6 (1/25/10)
– Mo. hospital no-hire policies, privacy, bias issues, discussion, 1338
– State laws, prohibitions, WFS 12 (1/25/10)

SOCIAL MEDIA

– Corporate use policies, crafting tips offered, 499
– Facebook posting

– – France, denigrating employer comments (Conseil de Prud'hommes de Boulogne-Billancourt), 1269
– – HIPAA violation, 879
– – Negative company/supervisor remarks, firings (B.C.L.R.B.), 1188
– – ULP complaint, Internet policy violation (NLRB Reg.), 1223

– Federal Trade Comm'n endorsement rules, employer liability, 26
– Harassment, policies, employer liability, worker privacy rights, 761
– Recruitment strategies, BNA Insights, 836
– Restrictive covenants, drafting tips for social networking, executive compensation hot topics, 668
– Resume fraud, HR role in detection, 369
– Smart phones, networking sites, mobile tech effects make lawyers race to adapt, ABA speakers on benefits, risks, trade-offs, 529
– Sweden, postings, agencies' liability, 774
– Twitter, ethics violation, insubordination, reporter reinstatement (Arb.), 1253
– 2010 HR Outlook, 61

SOCIAL SECURITY

– Earnings subject to taxes unchanged in 2011, 1130
– Phased retirement, funding benefits, Senate hearing, 767
– PPACA, excise tax, trustees' report, 891

SOFTWARE

– BMC Software, ADEA, lawyer rejected as in-house counsel (5th Cir.), 772
– Go Daddy Software, religious and national origin bias, complaints protected activity (U.S., rev den), 1073
– Hi-tech employment, 2010 1st half, TechAmerica report, 1002
– Oracle, Cal. wage and hour class certified (Cal. Super. Ct.), 1129
– Rockwell Automation, ADA, but-for causation requirement, Gross bar to “mixed motive” recovery (7th Cir.), 74

SOUTH AFRICA

– Affirmative action laws, foreign workers exemption, 754

SOUTH CAROLINA

– Card check authorization, secret ballot initiative to preempt EFCA approved, 1187
– Sexual harassment, retail manager “supervisor” status, state-law claim (4th Cir.), 381

SOUTH DAKOTA

– Card check authorization, secret ballot initiative to preempt EFCA approved, 1187

SOUTH KOREA

– Managerial hiring, women, multinational firms' profitability, study, 1118

SOX

See SARBANES-OXLEY ACT (SOX)

SPAIN

– Education levels, impact on pay, report, 1062
– Labor law reform bill ratification, 753
– Labor market status, studies, 1062
– Pension reform plan, proposed retirement age extension, 194
– Women, pay disparity, survey, 753

SPORTS

– Professional

See PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

STAA

See SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE ACT (STAA)

STAFFING

– Hiring

See HIRING

– Recruiting

See RECRUITING

STANDING

– ADA, nondisabled workers' suit over drug policy (6th Cir.), 1220
– PPACA, constitutionality challenge (U.S., rev den), 1215
– Stock drop, Medtronic, dismissal upheld (8th Cir.), 1393

STANDING TO SUE

– ERISA

– – Fiduciary breach, PBGC takeover (U.S., rev den), 37
– – Preemption, insurer challenge to Wis. leave substitution law (S.D. Ohio), 1056

– KeyCorp, ERISA stock drop, no standing to bring imprudence claim (N.D. Ohio), 915
– LMRA, anti-union worker MOA challenge (11th Cir.), 1000
– Retaliatory discharge, bankruptcy debtor may appeal judicial estoppel ruling, doctrine properly applied (D.C. Cir.), 632

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

See also specific states
– OSHA state-run programs, evaluation report, 1054; development of better criteria urged, conference, 1111
– Unemployment Comp. Integrity Act, DOL benefits fraud bill sent to Hill, 542
– Unemployment insurance

See UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

– Correctional workers

See CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

– Firefighters

See FIREFIGHTERS

– Health and pension benefits, access, BLS survey, 797
– Injuries and illnesses, 2008, BLS data, 242
– Police

See LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES

STATE AND LOCAL LAWS

– Ed. Note: This heading is for general or summary stories about trends in state and local laws. For stories about particular states, see specific states.
– FRD, enactments, report, 23
– Immigration, state job-related bills, 2010 1st six months, NCSL report, 862
– Same-sex marriage, DOMA and current laws, attorney analysis, 721

STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

– ADEA, failure to file charge within 300 days (3d Cir.), 1082
– N.J., retaliation claim time-barred (N.J.), 80
– Pay bias, professors' claims reinstatement, Ledbetter ruling rejection (N.J.), 1306
– Race bias

– – Disparate impact from written tests, timing and accrual of Title VII claim (U.S., oral arg), 201; (rvs), 567
– – Promotion and tuition reimbursement claims time-barred (7th Cir.), 800
– – Promotions, untimely claims, no application of Ledbetter law (3d Cir.), 1081

– R.I., civil rights bias, amendment by veto override, 40
– Sexual harassment

– – Internal complaint untimely, equitable tolling denied (5th Cir.), 75
– – Lone remark not sufficient to revive prior time-barred misconduct (2d Cir.), 691

– SOX, SEC violations, retail worker complaint untimely (9th Cir.), 1306
– Worksharing accord, state agency's loss of jurisdiction not binding on EEOC, timely suit revived (10th Cir.), 464

STEEL INDUSTRY

– N. Am. Stainless, Title VII retaliation, no participation, opposition activity by fired boyfriend (U.S., amicus brief filed), 597; (rev grant), 707; Supreme Court docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1321
– New Process Steel, NLRB two-member quorum rulings, legality challenge (U.S., oral arg), 313; supplemental brief (U.S., order), 433; ruling authority lacking (U.S., rvs, rem), 650
– Noise protection, OSHA rule revision, 1137; comment period extension, 1275; proposal impact on manufacturers, letter, 1391
– Nucor, race bias, direct evidence satisfied commonality, class certification denial improper (U.S., rev den), 233
– Thyssenkrupp Steel USA, pay disparity, controller race bias suit (S.D. Ala.), 1165

STOCK OPTIONS

– ERISA, no fiduciary breach in misstatements (2d Cir.), 946

STORED COMMUNICATIONS ACT (SCA)

– Pager text messages, privacy, Cal. violation (U.S., oral arg), 425; city audit of employees' use valid (rvs, rem), 649; correction, 686; Quon decision examined, BNA Insights, 976

STRESS

– Holidays

– – Financial pressure during, poll, 1366
– – Job security, gift-giving, impact, survey, 1309

– Impact on workplace, employer strategies, 736
– International labor, global comparisons, 344

SUBCONTRACTS AND SUBCONTRACTORS

– Federal contractors reporting requirements, interim rule from DOD, GSA, NASA, 765

SUBJECTS FOR BARGAINING

– Clothes changing, custom or practice pay exclusion where pact silent (5th Cir.), 50

SUBPOENAS

– EEOC to compel hiring data, partial approval (3d Cir.), 996

SUCCESSOR EMPLOYERS

– FLSA, home theater installers' claims (S.D. Tex.), 1197
– FMLA liability, balancing of equities test (9th Cir.), 1055
– Sexual harassment liability, appeal (8th Cir.), 1081

SUPERVISORS

– Productivity, abusive behaviors, impact on workplace, 148

SUPREME COURT, U.S.

– ADA

– – Hearing, unaided testing requirements, business necessity (rev den), 1241
– – Regarded as disabled, class of jobs, insufficient evidence to support jury finding (rev den), 92
– – Rehab. Act, affirmative defense, hearing standard job-related and business necessity (rev den), 67

– ADEA, RFOA defense waiver, burden of proof (rev den), 1127
– Appointments and personnel changes, Justice Stevens retirement, 375; Obama plans quick nomination, 401; Kagan nomination, 513; confirmation hearings set, 541; Judiciary panel clears, 795; Senate confirmation, 849
– Attorneys' fees, prevailing party, disability claimant's vacated award (rev grant), 68; (oral arg), 473; (rvs, rem), 567
– Campaign finance restrictions, censorship, 1st Amend. challenge to FEC rule on corporate and union PAC funding (rev den), 68
– Cash balance plans

– – Conversion, notice, “wear away,” remedies, appeals on Circuit split, likely harm standard (brief sought), 259; (brief filed), 597; deficient SPD, showing of “likely harm” (rev grant), 709; rule of reliance or prejudice predicted (U.S., rev grant), 904; labor docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1340
– – “Normal retirement age,” definition (rev den), 206

– Defamation, sexual harassment, CEO libel claims (rev den), 542
– Diversity jurisdiction, corporate citizenship, “nerve center” test defines “principal place of business” (rvs and rem), 204
– EPA, VA nurse practitioners' claim (rev den), 1076
– ERISA benefit termination after decade, ongoing disability not proved (rev den), 1326
– Excessive fees

– – Advisory fees, reasonable relationship, arms' length bargaining, Gartenberg standard proper guide (rvs and remand), 347
– – Disclosure, 401(k) plan participants (rev den), 65

– F-1 student visas, tech group challenge DHS rule (rev den), 431
– FAA, class arbitration improper where pact silent, arbitration panel's inference invalid (rvs and rem), 457
– FCA, severance pay exchange, waiver bars claim (rev den), 1100
– FELA, negligence, “proximate cause” proof (rev grant), 1295
– Fiduciary breach

– – Retiree lifetime health benefits (rev den), 205
– – Underfunding, standing to sue after PBGC takeover (rev den), 37

– First Amend., class size complaint, constitutionality of contract nonrenewal (rev den), 1296
– FLSA

– – Clothes changing, poultry processors (rev den), 1075
– – “Incidental to air travel,” motor carrier exemption bars drivers overtime claims (rev den), 374
– – Overtime, loan underwriting production work, no administrative exemption (rev den), 485
– – Retaliation, whether oral complaints protected activity under clause challenged (rev grant), 316; labor docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1097

– Health insurance

– – LMRA, lifetime retiree health benefits, altering violation (rev den), 233
– – San Francisco play or pay ordinance, solicitor gen. brief filed, 596; employer mandates upheld (rev den), 710

– Immigration, Ariz. law revoking business license for illegal hiring preempted by IRCA (brief filed), 626; preemption key issue, split of authority cited (rev grant), 708; (oral arg), 1325
– Interference, level of proof, pension obligations as motive for closure of underused plant (rev den), 38
– Interpretation, abuse of discretion, administrator entitlement to deferential review (oral arg), 136
– Mandatory arbitration

– – Cal. law invalidation of class arbitration waiver, FAA preemption (rev grant), 569; labor docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1213
– – Overtime, class waiver unconscionable, unenforceable (rev den), 36
– – Unconscionability decisionmaker under state law (rev grant), 65; (oral arg), 453; (rev den), 680

– NLRA, alter egos, general contractor, subcontractor jointly liable for benefits contributions (rev den), 569
– NLRB two-member quorum rulings, steel firm legality challenge (oral arg), 313; supplemental briefs (order), 433; 2-member quorum lacked ruling authority (rvs, rem), 650
– OCSLA, contractors' mutual indemnity provisions void under La. law (rev den), 627
– Phantom account offset, deference standard survives single honest mistake in plan administration (rvs), 428; attorneys debate implications, 515
– PPACA, constitutionality challenge, standing (rev den), 1215
– Privacy

– – Background checks for NASA contractors (rev grant), 260; labor docket, 1069
– – Pager text messages, 4th Amend., Cal. violation (oral arg), 425; city audit of employees' use valid (rvs, rem), 649; correction, 686; Quon decision examined, BNA Insights, 976

– Race bias

– – Direct evidence satisfied commonality, class certification denial improper (rev den), 233
– – Disparate impact from written tests, timing and accrual of Title VII claim (oral arg), 201; (rvs), 567
– – Jury instructions, whether failure to give abused discretion (rev den), 432
– – “Monkey” remark about project, not plaintiff (rev den), 1184
– – Promotions, reinstatement, worker with lifting restriction failed to show company doctor biased (rev den), 428
– – Reverse bias, retaliation, IRS agent denied promotion, no adverse action, pretext (rev den), 656

– Rehab. Act §504, sickle cell anemia, fired independent contractor, private cause of action (rev den), 681
– Retaliation

– – “Do not return” instruction (rev den), 1355
– – Title VII, religious and national origin bias, complaints protected activity (rev den), 1073

– RLA, flight attendants' challenges to validity of APFA concessions pact, no right to sue carrier (rev den), 711
– Sex bias

– – Class action certification, Wal-Mart seeks review of 9th Cir. ruling (rev sought), 931; labor docket, 1069; opposition brief filed, 1156
– – Retaliation, passive bystander, no participation, opposition activity by fired boyfriend (amicus brief filed), 597; (rev grant), 707; docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1321

– Sexual harassment, punitive damages, Fla. statutory cap, reduced award (rev den), 1076
– 2010 HR Outlook, 61
– USERRA, cat's paw theory of liability, application (rev grant), 428; labor docket, 1069; oral arg, 1181

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE ACT (STAA)

– Faulty brakes, good faith belief that safety complaint was baseless (DOL ARB), 49
– Knowledge of protected activity requirement (DOL ARB), 1001
– Retaliation

– – Refusal to drive truck with flat tire, voluntary quit (DOL ARB), 1140
– – Unsafe vehicle assignment complaint, boisterous trucker claim denial (7th Cir.), 1363

– Whistleblower complaints, OSHA interim final rules, 935

SURVEILLANCE

– Electronic

See ELECTRONIC MONITORING

– Monitoring

See MONITORING

SWEDEN

– Social media postings, agencies' liability, 774

SWINE FLU

See H1N1 VIRUS