Virginia’s New Social Media Law Protects Employees

Effective July 1, 2015, a new law takes effect in Virginia that restricts employers’ ability to access their employees’ social media accounts. The law – Virginia Code § 40.1-28.7:5 – primarily forbids an employer from forcing either a current or prospective employee to:

disclose log-in information – i.e. username and password – attached to a social media account; or
“add” an employee, supervisor, or administrator to the employee’s contact list on such an account.

Additionally, an employer […]

By | July 10th, 2015 ||

Update On Employee Telecommuting

Employers increasingly deal with an electronically-mobile workforce. Policies addressing bring-your-own-device, (BYOD), mobile office and flexible work schedules are becoming more common in employee handbooks. One related issue is employee telecommuting. It can be a win-win if an employer and employee agree that telecommuting is viable in a given situation. It is not so simple if an employee wants to telecommute, but the employer does not agree for business or strategic reasons.

A recent decision issued […]

By | July 8th, 2015 ||

How The Change In Marriage Laws Could Impact Employers And Benefits

The Supreme Court’s decision establishing same-sex marriage recognition, isn’t just a cultural shift. It’s also likely to have an impact on employers and employee benefits.

The Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, establishing same-sex marriage recognition, isn’t just a cultural shift. It’s also likely to have an impact on employers and employee benefits.

All 50 states must now grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize the marriages of such couples married elsewhere.

Married same-sex employees are […]

By | July 6th, 2015 ||