February 24, 2023

Alex Berke quoted by Law 360: World Leaders' Exits Hold Lessons For Employers On Burnout

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been heightened awareness of employee burnout, as explored in Law360’s article, World Leaders' Exits Hold Lessons For Employers On Burnout. The article contains ideas from various employment lawyers on what employers can do to combat burnout and retain employees, including: paid sick leave, paid family leave, increased flexibility, and use of reasonable accommodations. 

Senior Associate Alex Berke stated: “Reasonable accommodations are a really good tool in the workplace for employees and employers," she said. "Employees on the verge of burnout might be experiencing depression, anxiety and they might need an accommodation like, 'I'm going to my therapist every week,' or 'I need a few days or weeks of leave.”

The reality is that more people are living with disabilities post-COVID-19, and it is essential for both employers and employees to understand the framework of reasonable accommodations. In doing so, they can create a culture of inclusivity and support for those who need it, while avoiding the costs of employee churn.

Read Anne Cullen’s article about employee burnout here.

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This Week’s FFCRA Complaints: The Wrongful Terminations Continue 

August 21, 2020
Leave
Disability Discrimination
Since we started this weekly blog post in May, we've read and summarized over 50 complaints filed under the new leave law. As we’ve pointed out, many of these complaints follow almost a template, with workers being terminated for either taking legally-allowed precautions to protect fellow workers from potential infection or for having legitimate reasons to take leave, often to care for a family member or child.

In an Uncommon Move, McDonald’s Sues Former CEO

August 20, 2020
Sexual Harassment
It’s not every day that a blue chip company decides to sue a former executive, let alone its erstwhile CEO, but this is exactly what McDonald’s did by suing Steve Easterbrook, who had been fired last year for inappropriate conduct, specifically, sexting with an employee.

The Art of the Doctor’s Note

August 19, 2020
Pregnancy Discrimination
We’ve all needed one at some point –– a doctor’s note explaining that we’re out for the count on some otherwise necessary aspect of work or school, at least temporarily. Many people are realizing that because of COVID, they don’t feel safe at work due to a disability, and need to modify their pre-pandemic job to accommodate this new reality. In this type of situation, what do you ask your doctor for? What does such a note need to include to help you successfully advocate for your rights?

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