Out Of The Legal Process, And Arming You With The Facts
Receiving a Statement of Reasons (SOR) can feel urgent and overwhelming. However, what you do in the first 72 hours can significantly affect the outcome. That timeframe is critical and how you respond during this narrow window can significantly impact the result of...
Fear of losing a job keeps many people silent after sexual harassment. That fear feels real, especially in an at‑will state like Virginia. Yet federal and Virginia laws make retaliation unlawful when you speak up or take part in an investigation. With a clear plan and...
Mental health concerns can influence security clearance, but they do not automatically prevent approval. The key issue in most situations is whether the condition creates a risk to judgment, reliability or stability. Knowing how federal security reviewers evaluate the...
A new legislative session and a new governor have brought multiple pieces of legislation that mean changes for employees throughout Virginia. The Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) bill, which we discussed here in December, has passed. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has...
Retaliation is one of the most frequently reported allegations in workplaces, both at the federal and state levels. A significant percentage of complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) involve retaliation. It’s unlawful for an...
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that provides specific requirements regarding employee pay. It covers things like proper recordkeeping, minimum wage, overtime pay and child labor. This act is enforced by the United States Department of Labor and...
You may use noncompete clauses to protect clients, data or internal processes. Virginia law may restrict when you can rely on those clauses. A template that worked before may not reflect current limits. Small drafting choices may change risk exposure. Two mistakes may...
Employees who have recently learned about their inclusion in a layoff or their targeted termination may feel panicked. It is quite common for those facing unexpected unemployment to worry about their ability to support themselves and their families. Employers often...
Understanding the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can feel intimidating, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Yet, the goal of the law is to help ensure that people with disabilities can access public spaces and services. For...
Security clearances are meant to measure risk, not character. While most people focus on their own records, clearance reviews can extend beyond you. Spouses, partners and even adult children can unintentionally shape how risk is perceived. This can feel unfair,...
