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...
Out Of The Legal Process, And Arming You With The Facts
Employment Law For Employers
Mental health and security clearances: Breaking the stigma for federal employees
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...
Many Virginia workers can expect more paid family and sick leave
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 in the workplace: How to spot it
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...
Pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act
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...
2 common mistakes employers make under Virginia noncompete limits
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...
Why workers need support during severance negotiations
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...
What are the ADA basics of SMEs?
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...
Clearance risk linked to spouses and adult children
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,...
Getting reasonable accommodation for a dynamic disability
Many people who have disabilities and chronic medical conditions don’t experience the same symptoms – or experience them as severely -- from one day to the next. An increasingly used term is “dynamic disabilities.” Many neurological, autoimmune and autoinflammatory...


