LawyersUSA

Here’s a tip: Careful how you divvy up the pot

A recent $100 million verdict against Starbucks in a California tip-pooling class action has jolted employers around the country with every bit of the kick of a Venti extra-shot Caramel Macchiato.

• Related story: Staying out of tip trouble

Labor Department’s 401(k) fee brief makes splash

The Department of Labor's recent filing of an amicus brief seems to have resuscitated an all-but-dead class action alleging that plan fiduciaries allowed the participants’ 401(k) investments to be saddled with excessively high fees and neglected to disclose those fees.

High court, lawyers struggle to define ERISA

WASHINGTON – Oral arguments over how courts review conflict of interest claims under ERISA seemed to leave the justices of the Supreme Court with more questions than answers in a case that could have broad implications for employers, employees and insurers.

Debate intensifies over binding arbitration bill

WASHINGTON – Advocates and opponents of a bill seeking to ban mandatory binding arbitration clauses in most contracts – bolstered by recent studies they say prove their positions – are amplifying their calls on Congress to act in favor or against the stalled measure.

Employees may be at disadvantage in arbitration

State courts are reversing arbitration awards for employees at a “statistically significant” rate compared to reversing employer-friendly awards, according to a new study.

These findings suggest a “snowballing futility for employees,” the report says, because the options after being reversed on appeal are limited.

Congress passes genetic testing protection bill

Congress has passed legislation that would prohibit employees who discover they are genetically susceptible to diseases from losing their jobs or being denied health insurance.