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Michael C. Schmidt

Vice Chair, Labor & Employment Department

: New York
277 Park Avenue
16th Floor
New York, New York 10172
P: (212) 453-3937
TF: (800) 437-7040
F: (866) 736-3682

Michael C. Schmidt

Recent Publication:
The End Of Overtime Pay As We Know It? [Law360]
Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses the end of overtime pay in Law360.
More

Michael C. Schmidt is the vice chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Department, and the office managing partner, vice chair, of the New York Midtown office, where he is resident.

For more than two decades, Mike has concentrated his practice on representing companies and management in all facets of employment law, such as: (i) defense in litigation involving wage and hour (overtime and unpaid compensation), discrimination, harassment, retaliation and whistle-blowing, non-competes and trade secrets, and disability and other leave-related issues, including claims covered under EPLI (employment practices liability insurance) policies; (ii) day-to-day counseling and in-house training on issues from hiring to firing, and other questions unique to his client’s industries and business; and (iii) drafting and reviewing employment agreements, termination and severance agreements, confidentiality and non-competes, and employment policies and manuals. A substantial portion of Mike’s practice is devoted to maintaining collaborative relationships with his clients, and developing appropriate strategies to avoid litigation and minimize potential exposure in the area of employee relations. He has tried cases and argued appeals in federal and state courts, and has represented companies (non-union and union) in arbitration, and before federal and state administrative agencies such as the EEOC, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Labor (state and federal), OSHA, and the National Labor Relations Board.

Mike is an adjunct professor of law at Touro Law School (Central Islip, N.Y.), where he teaches a course on Employment Law, and is called upon regularly as a course planner and speaker for conferences, seminars and continuing legal education programs addressing employment law issues and developments. Mike has been frequently quoted on employment law topics, and is regularly interviewed by trade publications and national journals (online and “traditional”) for his opinions on legal trends. He is proud to be the publisher and editor of a blog devoted to the interplay between social media and employment law, an extremely topical and significant area of law for employers in this new technology era (Social Media Employment Law Blog). Mike is also an Advisory Board member for Bloomberg BNA's Social Media & Policy Report.

Beyond his regular client practice, Mike serves as the chairman of the board of directors of After-School All-Stars of New York, a New York chapter of a national charitable organization founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the mid-1990’s to provide after-school and summer programs for inner-city youth. He also spends significant time providing pro bono counsel to various organizations and individuals who are less able to afford representation in times of need.

Mike earned his undergraduate degree, with honors, from Brandeis University in 1990. He earned his law degree, with distinction, from Hofstra University School of Law in 1993, where he was a notes and comments editor of the Hofstra Law Review.

News

The Financial Exchange

April 25, 2017

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses how to prevent sexual harassment claims in the workplace.

Labor Attorney Warns Workers Against Getting Too Wrapped Up In March Madness

March 16, 2017

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses March Madness on CBS.

How to Keep Your Office Holiday Party From Going Off the Rails

December 14, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses how to keep your holiday party under control in the New York Times.

Caterpillar Hit With Age Bias Suit Over Facebook Firing

November 29, 2016

Michael Schmidt, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses this issue on Bloomberg BNA.

Should Employers Continue to Prepare for Overtime Regulations?

November 23, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses if employers should continue to prepare for overtime regulations in Employee Benefit Adviser.

The Brevity of Twitter

November 15, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses the brevity of twitter on LeftFoot.

Resigning Without Notice

August 25, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses resigning without notice in The Balance.

Will Overtime Rule Mean Less or More Litigation?

June 27, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses the overtime rule on Bloomberg BNA.

Is It Ever OK to Quit on the Spot?

June 21, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses if it is ever okay to leave a job without notice in the Wall Street Journal.

Talking Politics at Work? You Might Want to Cool It

June 15, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses talking politics at work on KING TV.

Employer Lobbying on Overtime Rule Led to Changes

June 01, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses employer lobbying on overtime rule in SHRM.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Recent Yelp Case in HR Magazine

May 01, 2016

Michael Schmidt, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses the recent Yelp case in HR Magazine.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Recent Yelp Case

February 24, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employee department, discusses the recent firing of a Yelp employee on SHRM.org.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Politics in the Workplace

January 28, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses politics in the workplace on HRE Daily.

Michael Schmidt Discusses the Healthcare HR Checklist for 2016

January 27, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses the Healthcare HR checklist for 2016 on PreCheck.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Political Chatter in the Office

January 27, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment department, discusses how political chatter in the office can spell trouble on Law.com.

Michael Schmidt Discusses the EEOC Crack Down on Retaliation

January 27, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor and Employment department, discusses the EEOC crack down on retaliation on SHRM.org.

Michael Schmidt Discusses New York City’s Ban-The-Box Law in Law360

November 17, 2015

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses the new Ban-The-Box law and how it will affect employers. This new law seeks to ban the practice of including a check-off box on a job application that asks whether the individual has a criminal past. Michael urges employers to make sure that their job ads and hiring practices are in line with the new law and also emphasizes the importance of training hiring personnel to make sure that they are sensitive to the new regulations in place.

Michael Schmidt Discusses the Elimination of Tipping in Restaurants in SHRM

November 04, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses the recent trend of more and more restaurants doing away with tipping, with the new revenue likely to come in the form of higher food and beverage prices.

Michael Schmidt Discusses DOL’s Potential Rule on Device Use Outside Of Work Hours in Bloomberg BNA

August 24, 2015

Michael Schmidt offers his opinion on how the DOL could resolve the issue of determining when employees must be paid for connecting with their jobs during hours they aren't scheduled to work.

Michael Schmidt Discusses An Employee's Last Day in the Office in The Wall Street Journal

August 18, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses how employers handle an employee's last day of work at the office.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Chicago Trial on the Issue of Off-Duty Portable Device Work in Law360

August 14, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses the increasing need for employers to be aware of potential overtime liability stemming from off-site, off-duty work enabled by smartphones and other technologies.

Michael Schmidt Discusses the DOL’s Proposed Overtime Rule in SHRM

July 20, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses the DOL’s overtime rule and how establishing email curfews can help newly nonexempt employees understand the types of work that now are off-limits.

Michael Schmidt Discusses DOL Rule That May Impact Working Outside of the Office in SHRM

June 19, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses a potential rule by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor that will focus on the use of technology, including portable electronic devices, by employees away from work and outside of scheduled work hours.

Michael Schmidt Joins Bloomberg BNA Board of Editorial Advisers

April 23, 2015

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of the Labor & Employment Department, has been invited to join the Advisory Board for Bloomberg BNA’s Social Media Law & Policy Report.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Posting About Work on Social Media in Refinery29

April 03, 2015

In an article titled “You Can Complain About Work on Facebook – But You Shouldn’t,” Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses the specific kinds of complaints employees can make on social media that are actually protected by law, no matter your employer’s policy. “When an employee or group of employees are speaking on social media collectively about work and conditions at work, they have a right to engage in that activity according to the NLRB,” says Michael, “The NLRB considers that kind of action — connecting with your fellow employees on social media to discuss working conditions — a 'protected, concerted activity.'"

Michael Schmidt Discusses Employee Tweets in SHRM

April 01, 2015

In an article titled “What to Do About Employees’ #StupidTweets,” Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses whether an employer should take action against an employee for an inappropriate tweet. Michael remarked that “assuming no outright prohibition [by the law] on disciplining the employee for the tweet, the employer also may consider both the impact that the tweet has or may have on co-workers, as well as the impact on morale if the offending employee or others perceive the employer as overly regulating employee speech and expression, particularly of a more innocuous and not patently offensive message.”

Michael Schmidt Discusses Emerging Technical Trends with the Legal Talk Network

March 25, 2015

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses lawyer blogging and what it means to be “part of the social media conversation.” He also talks about the issues of oversharing, setting goals and calculating marketing success, and why every lawyer should be on LinkedIn in an interview with the Legal Talk Network.

Michael Schmidt Offers Tips to Avoid Office Holiday Party Trouble in Law360

December 01, 2014

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, offers 10 tips employers can follow to avoid potential legal trouble during the office holiday parties.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Potential Legal Risks Associated with Halloween Office Parties on CBS Newsradio / WSJ Radio Network

October 21, 2014

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses some of the legal risks employers should consider when hosting a Halloween office party in an interview on CBS Newsradio / WSJ Radio Network.

Michael Schmidt Discusses HR's Challenge with Wearable Technology in Human Resource Executive Online

August 26, 2014

In an article titled, ‘’Banning Wearable Tech at Work,’’ Michael Schmidt, vice chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses the challenge human resource departments are facing with the evolution and popularity of wearable technology (i.e. Google Glass). Michael says the main HR challenge is to find ''the proper balance between and employee’s reasonable and protected interests in communicating and depicting workplace conditions and the company’s interests in protecting its valid business interests and ensuring they have productive employees during working time.''

Michael Schmidt Discusses Social Media in the Workplace on ''Power Your Life''

August 21, 2014

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses the intersection of social media and employment law in an interview with Dr. Jo Anne White.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Polishing Your Social Media Policy in Home Channel News

August 16, 2013

In an article titled “Polish your social media policy,” Michael Schmidt, vice chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Department, provides suggestions for creating an effective social media policy that does not infringe on employees’ rights.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Social Media Discovery in Law360

July 25, 2013

In an article titled “7 Tips For Employers on Social Media Discovery,” Michael Schmidt of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group discusses how social media is a new forum of potential evidence in employment cases.

Cozen O’Connor Cybersecurity Conference Highlighted in The Wall Street Journal

May 09, 2013

In an article titled, "FBI: Delete Passwords of Ex-Employees," The Wall Street Journal highlights the firm's Cybersecurity Conference, held on Wednesday, May 8, at the W Hotel. Trevor Cloak, Joe Dever, Greg Fliszar, Brian Gillam, Steven Haas, Mike Schmidt, Stuart Shorenstein, Matthew Siegel, Ahren Tryon and Dave Walton presented during the seminar, along with Richard Aborn, President, Citizens Crime Commission of New York City and Austin P. Berglas, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Cyber, FBI New York Field Office. To read the WSJ article, click here.

Michael Schmidt Discusses Social Media as Court Evidence in Social Media Today

May 02, 2013

In an article titled, ''Legal Concerns: Your Facebook Account as Evidence in a Lawsuit,'' Michael Schmidt, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses the use of social media as court evidence, and the legal duty to preserve it.

Michael Schmidt Discusses the Risks and Rewards of Social Media in Inside Counsel

May 01, 2013

Michael Schmidt, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses the application of new and existing regulations in the context of social media in an article titled, ''The Risks and Rewards of Social Media – Regulators and Plaintiffs Take Aim at Companies’ Use of Social Media.'' ''It’s so easy for companies using social media to disclose and talk about things that used to be tightly controlled before they were disclosed to the public,'' Schmidt says. ''But agencies are becoming increasingly vigilant about applying their existing rules to what a company can and can’t say in this new context.''

Michael Schmidt Quoted in Inside Counsel

January 28, 2013

Michael Schmidt, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses leave-related issues and medical conditions in an article titled ''Medical Information Not Confidential If Disclosed in Response to General Inquiry.''

Michael Schmidt Quoted in Human Resource Executive Online

January 23, 2013

Michael Schmidt, a member in the firm’s Labor & Employment group, was quoted in an article published in the Human Resource Executive Online titled “Breaking Down the EEOC's Plan.”

Michael Schmidt Quoted in Workforce Management

December 14, 2012

Michael Schmidt argues that employers need to tread carefully before taking action against an employee for misuse of social media in, “Tips on Social Media's Legal Minefields.”

"Employment Law Now" Podcast - Episode 10 Released! [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

June 20, 2017

A new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released! In today’s episode, I address independent contractor misclassification, performance reviews affecting age discrimination claims, and a novel case on web site accessibility. Also included: how ducks, TIEs and chimps are...

I-10- Independent Contractors, Age Discrimination, Performance Reviews, Web Site Accessibility, and Ducks, TIEs and Chimps [Employment Law Now Blog]

June 20, 2017

This episode addresses independent contractor misclassification, performance reviews affecting age discrimination cases, and a novel case on web site accessibility. Also: how ducks, TIEs and chimps are relevant to employment law. You can download this episode by clicking here....

New "Employment Law Now" Podcast Episode Released [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

June 02, 2017

A new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released (today’s the 9th episode). In today’s episode, I address significant trends concerning hiring discrimination claims and predictive scheduling, and am also joined by Mastercard counsel and technology expert Dennis Kennedy to talk...

Episode I-9: Hiring Bias Claims, Predictive Scheduling Update, and Artificial Intelligence in the HR World - Featuring Special Guest Dennis Kennedy [Employment Law Now Blog]

June 02, 2017

This episode discusses the recent uptick in hiring bias claims, provides an update on predictive scheduling legislation, and answers questions about artificial intelligence. Joining this episode is Mastercard counsel and technology attorney Dennis Kennedy, who will discuss the role of artificial...

The End Of Overtime Pay As We Know It? [Law360]

May 30, 2017

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, discusses the end of overtime pay in Law360.

New "Employment Law Now" Podcast Episode Released! [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

May 19, 2017

Were you hoping to be able to listen to some employment law over the weekend? A new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released. In today’s episode, I provide an update on the new chair of the NLRB, discuss noteworthy cases and the appropriate corporate mindset with...

Noteworthy Harassment and Disability Cases, and Will Certain Current Employment Law Principles Stay or Go [Employment Law Now Blog]

May 19, 2017

This episode provides an update on the newly-appointed chairman of the NLRB, addresses noteworthy decisions and the appropriate corporate mindset in harassment and disability cases, and predicts whether certain current employment law principles will stay or go. You can download this episode...

New "Employment Law Now" Podcast Episode Released [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

May 01, 2017

A new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released. In today’s episode, I provide an update on the Senate confirmation of the new head of the US Department of Labor, and am joined by OSHA attorney John Ho to discuss why all employers need to be thinking about OSHA’s impact on...

Update on DOL Confirmation and OSHA's Impact on Workplace Issues [Employment Law Now Blog]

May 01, 2017

This episode provides an update on Senate confirmation of the new head of the US Department of Labor, and features OSHA attorney John Ho to discuss OSHA's impact on workplace issues from the general health and safety duty to violence in the workplace. You can download this episode by clicking...

Special New Podcast Episode Released - Employment Law Now [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

April 18, 2017

A very special episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released. In today’s episode, I sit down for a one-on-one interview with NLRB General Counsel Richard Griffin to get his thoughts on, among other things, the perception of employers that the NLRB has become too activist and too...

ELN's One-On-One Sit-Down Interview With NLRB General Counsel Richard Griffin [Employment Law Now Blog]

April 18, 2017

This special episode presents an interview with current NLRB General Counsel Richard Griffin, who answers questions about employer perception of the NLRB as a pro-employee agency, as well as the thinking behind recent NLRB action on social media policies and joint employment. You can download...

New "Employment Law Now" Podcast Episode Released - Taking the Show on the Road [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

April 03, 2017

A brand new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released! In this week’s episode, I provide an update on several issues from DC, and discuss significant developments in the areas of punctuation and overtime claims, social media do's and don'ts, and the application of legal...

DC Update, Punctuation and Overtime Claims, and Social Media and Legal Activities Laws - Featuring Two Corporate HR Professionals Discussing Issues That Keep Them Up At Night [Employment Law Now Blog]

April 03, 2017

This episode provides an update on DC issues, and addresses how punctuation affects overtime claims, as well as the latest trends on social media and legal activities laws. Joining this episode are two corporate human resources professionals to discuss what issues keep them up at night. You...

The Final Four - Do Employers Care? [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

March 16, 2017

Starting today, much time will be spent in person and online trying to make money on the NCAA tournament. There’s the blog hook for today. Online technology, and social media in particular, have made it much easier for employees to participate in all things college basketball, and to sit in the...

New Podcast Episode Released - "Employment Law Now" [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

March 15, 2017

Has it been two weeks already? A brand new episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast has just been released today! In this week’s episode, I discuss significant developments in the areas of internal whistleblowing and employee FMLA abuse, as well as a nationwide trend involving predictive...

Internal Whistleblowers, Predictive Schedules and "Clopenings", and FMLA Abuse [Employment Law Now Blog]

March 15, 2017

This episode addresses noteworthy decisions concerning internal whistleblowers and employee FMLA abuse, as well as a significant nationwide trend involving predictive scheduling and "clopenings." You can download this episode by clicking here....

New Podcast Episode Just Released - "Employment Law Now" [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

March 04, 2017

My new "Employment Law Now" podcast episode is now released! If you haven't subscribed, what are you waiting for....? This week's episode provides an update on an important Trump cabinet appointee, addresses a new "joint employer" standard and new restrictive covenant concerns, and welcomes a...

Trump Cabinet Update, Joint Employment Standards, and New Restrictive Covenant Concerns – Featuring Immigration Law Attorney Scott Bettridge [Employment Law Now Blog]

March 03, 2017

This episode provides an update on President Trump’s DOL cabinet appointment, and addresses a new joint employer test and potentially significant employment and antitrust concerns about restrictive covenants. Joining this episode is immigration attorney Scott Bettridge, who will discuss current...

2nd Podcast Episode Released - "Employment Law Now" [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

February 18, 2017

The 2nd episode of my “Employment Law Now” podcast is now released! If you have already subscribed before (and thank you), it should have appeared in your podcast feed automatically by now. Otherwise, feel free to subscribe to the podcast and get new episodes as they are released every two...

Applicant Salary Inquiries, DOL / SCOTUS Nominees and Cybersecurity Concerns - Featuring FBI Special Agent Austin Berglas [Employment Law Now Blog]

February 16, 2017

This episode addresses the recent trend on regulating applicant salary inquiries, and noteworthy developments with the DOL and Supreme Court nominees, job attendance policies, and a new form of damages under the FLSA. Joining this episode is former FBI Special Agent Austin Berglas, who will discuss...

iTunes and Google Play Now Have New "Employment Law Now" Podcast! [Social Media Employment Law Blog]

February 03, 2017

What better way to use a social media and employment law blog than to use social media to plug employment law?! My new "Employment Law Now" podcast is now up on iTunes and Google Play so that you can easily subscribe (and listen) to automatically have each new episode download and appear in your...

Noncompete Agreements: New Considerations Under Both Employment and Antitrust Law [Labor & Employment Observer]

December 23, 2016

Michael C. Schmidt discusses the legal landscape in 2016 and how the Trump administration might impact various aspects of workplace issues.

Employee Social Networking Sites: A Plethora of Information, But be Careful What You Wish For [Hotel Business Review]

October 28, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses best practices in Hotel Business Review.

FTC and DOJ Issue Guidance on Application of Antitrust Law to Employee Hiring and Compensation [Labor & Employment Alert]

October 25, 2016

The FTC and the DOJ jointly released Antitrust Guidance for Human Resources Professionals, advising that, going forward, the DOJ intends to criminally investigate companies who agree with competitor(s) to fix wages or other terms of employment or enter into so-called “no-poaching” agreements by agreeing not to recruit each other’s employees.

Does Political Speech 'Trump' Workplace Policies? [Corporate Counsel]

September 08, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, discusses political speech in the workplace in Corporate Counsel.

What Are the Consequences of Political Discussion in the Workplace? [Employee Benefit Adviser]

July 28, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment practice, discusses the consequences of political discussion in the workplace.

DOL Agenda Targets Compensation For Portable Device Work [Law360]

July 07, 2016

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Labor & Employment department, discusses how portable device work will be affected by the DOL agenda in Law360.

Labor and Employment Observer 2015/2016

January 06, 2016

The 2015/2016 Labor and Employment Observer looks back at significant developments in labor and employment law over the past year and forward to what employers can expect in 2016.

How New York's (New) Wage Deduction Law Affects Employers [Law360]

December 17, 2015

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses how New York’s new wage deduction law will affect employees.

Happy New Year: New Resolutions for New York in the New Year [Labor & Employment Alert]

December 08, 2015

Here are the top five new laws signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo that are designed to continue the push toward pay equity, expand legal protections against workplace discrimination, and otherwise further regulate the employer-employee relationship.

Michael Schmidt Discusses New York City’s Ban-The-Box Law [Law360]

November 17, 2015

Michael Schmidt discusses the new Ban-The-Box law and how it will affect employers.

Is A DOL Rule For Portable Device Work Coming? [Law360]

July 23, 2015

Michael Schmidt offers tips to employers to avoid violating the Department of Labor’s recently proposed rule of changing overtime regulations.

Trick Or Tweet: The Perils Of Punishing Employee Posts [Law360]

April 02, 2015

In an article titled “Trick Or Tweet: The Perils Of Punishing Employee Posts,” Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses a company’s ability to take some form of employment-related action in response to an employee’s negative social media post while maintaining compliance with guidance of the National Labor Relations Board.

2014/2015 Labor and Employment Observer

December 31, 2014

The 2014/2015 Labor and Employment Observer looks back at significant developments in labor and employment law over the past year and forward to what employers can expect in 2015.

Internships: Worthwhile Programs or Liability Traps? [New York Law Journal]

October 20, 2014

In an article titled ‘’Internships: Worthwhile Programs or Liability Traps,’’ Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, discusses the recent surge in lawsuits brought on behalf of a company’s current (and former) unpaid interns and the steps companies can take in order to avoid such litigation.

5 Things To Consider Before Posting Social Media Policies [Law360]

September 08, 2014

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, authored an article for Law360 titled, “5 Things To Consider Before Posting Social Media Policies.” The article addresses the need for employers to develop an appropriate mindset when it comes to managing social media use by their employees and creating their social media policies and practices. Michael reviews five common workplace issues and explores the National Labor Relations Board’s position on each.

The Latest Do's and Don'ts With Social Media Policies [Bloomberg BNA]

July 15, 2014

In an article published in Bloomberg BNA, Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment Department, advises on the "Do's and Don'ts" of company social media policies and reviews recent NLRB positions on five common workplace issues.

Restrictive Covenants in the Internet Age [The Legal Intelligencer]

May 06, 2014

Michael Schmidt, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor and Employment Department, and Jason A. Cabrera, associate in the Labor and Employment Department, co-authored an article for The Legal Intelligencer titled, “Restricted Covenants in the Internet Age.” The article discusses the impact of social media on restrictive convents.

The Latest From New York City: New Law Prohibits Discrimination Against Interns [Labor & Employment Alert]

April 18, 2014

There are two trends that continue to gain steam in the employment law world: an increase in employee protections by the new Mayor De Blasio administration in New York City, and an increase in employment law claims made by interns. Both trends have come together in a new law affecting New York City employers beginning on June 14, 2014.

Reminder of Two New Obligations for New York City Employers [Labor & Employment Alert]

January 17, 2014

Employers operating in New York City should be reminded of two significant additions to the checklist of employment obligations that will become effective in the coming weeks.

2013/2014 [Labor and Employment Observer]

January 01, 2014

We are pleased to provide you with our 2013/2014 Observer, which looks back at the developments in labor and employment law over the past year and forward to what employers can expect in 2014.

Two New Measures in New York: Wage Deduction Rules and Pregnancy Accommodation

October 16, 2013

Most employers tend to focus on federal law as a source of labor and employment obligations. However, employers should also pay careful attention to state and local laws on workplace issues. The first half of this month has already seen two significant developments in New York.

Harassment Concerns and Effective Policies for Hotel Employers [Hotel Executive]

July 03, 2013

The scene is not uncommon, a beautiful hotel with several floors of luxurious rooms, restaurants and bars, and cascading waterfalls out at the pool. It is not your typical office, yet it is critical that hotel employers understand that the men and women who work in this setting are employees and that the hotel is a workplace. So, as informal, perhaps even as romantic, as the scene may be, employment laws proscribing harassment in the workplace apply in hotels as equally as they do in a medical practice, a law firm or an insurance brokerage house.

Obama Administration 2.0: What’s at Stake for Employers [Profiles in Diversity Journal]

May 01, 2013

During Barack Obama’s first term as president, most of his pro-employee legislative agenda was stymied by Congress. Undeterred, the Obama Administration turned to administrative agencies such as the Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to move forward its workplace agenda. The stakes continue to be high for employers during President Obama’s second term, particularly in the diversity-focused areas of equal employment opportunity and immigration.

New York Increases Its Minimum Wage [Labor & Employment Alert]

April 02, 2013

On March 29, 2013, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that will raise the New York minimum wage in staged increases over the next three years.

Five Key Areas to Watch During Obama’s Second Term [HR Morning]

March 27, 2013

One of Barack Obama’s first actions when he became president was to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, resetting the statute of limitations each paycheck for equal-pay gender discrimination lawsuits and making it easier for employees to pursue them.

New York City Employers Cannot Discriminate Based on Unemployment Status As of June 11, 2013 [Labor & Employment Alert]

March 19, 2013

The New York City Council continues to grow the chasm that exists between New York City employment law and its state and federal counterparts. Specifically, on March 13, 2013, the council overwhelmingly enacted (by a 43-4 vote) a local law that precludes employers and employment agencies from refusing to consider or hire an applicant because he or she is unemployed, and from posting advertisements that require job applicants to be employed. This comes less than a month after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg initially vetoed the legislation, which now is set to become effective on June 11, 2013.

2012/2013 [Labor and Employment Observer]

January 01, 2013

We are pleased to provide you with our 2012/2013 Observer, which looks back at the developments in labor and employment law over the past year and forward to what employers can expect in 2013.

Employee Social Networking Sites: A Plethora of Information, But Be Careful What You Wish For [Hotel Business Review]

December 01, 2012

How much information would you like to have about your employees before you make a decision about whether to hire or fire them? If you had access to all public and private information about them at the click of a mouse, would you seize the opportunity? Be careful what you wish for.

The New Employee Wage Deduction Law in New York [Labor and Employment Alert]

September 18, 2012

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) just made things a little easier for employers. Effective November 6, 2012, employers in New York will have greater flexibility when it comes to permissible deductions from employee wages.

Deciphering the NLRB's Stance on Social Media Issues [New York Law Journal]

October 24, 2011

The National Labor Relations Act was enacted in 1935 to protect trade unionists from unfair labor practices by employers, and afford employees a greater ability to organize and collectively bargain. Social media entered the scene approximately 60 years later, when society (including the labor work force) recognized the ease and benefit of engaging in collective activity without ever leaving one's computer keyboard.

Summer 2011 [Labor and Employment Observer]

July 01, 2011

Our Summer 2011 Labor and Employment Law Observer covers topics of interest to in-house counsel, human resources professionals and corporate management.

The New York Wage Theft Prevention Act: New Employer Obligations Beginning in April 2011 [Labor & Employment Alert!]

March 29, 2011

Effective next week (April 9, 2011), employers must comply with significant, substantive, and procedural obligations in New York’s new Wage Theft Prevention Act (Act). This alert highlights the new requirements, which apply to virtually every company that employs individuals in New York. While many of these new obligations will cause administrative and logistical headaches, the potential consequences for failing to comply have increased as well.

The Effect of a Cat's Paw on Employment Law and Why Employers Should Limit Social Media Employee Research [Labor & Employment Alert!]

March 04, 2011

On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in the long-awaited “cat’s paw” case of Staub v. Proctor Hospital. The decision will likely broaden the permissible theories under which a current or former employee might bring a discrimination lawsuit against a company. It may also serve as another cautionary tale for those who use social media for employment-related decisions.

Fall 2010 [Labor and Employment Observer]

October 28, 2010

We are pleased to present the latest edition of the Labor and Employment Observer. We hope you find this issue both useful and informative.

Big Brother in the Big Apple: Subtle Erosion of Employment at Will? [New York Law Journal]

September 24, 2010

Employers in New York have taken great comfort over the years in citing the ''at will'' nature of an employee's job status when taking virtually any action ranging from discipline, to a diminution of salary or job responsibilities to outright termination. New York has generally been considered a pro-employer jurisdiction, with employees often having to clear high hurdles before circumventing the cornucopia of legal precedent.

New York Governor Signs Three Employment Bills [Labor & Employment Alert!]

September 09, 2010

The first enactment establishes a test to determine if a construction industry worker is an independent contractor or an employee, and is entitled “The New York State Construction Industry Fair Play Act.”

Summer 2010 [Labor & Employment Observer]

July 01, 2010

Our Summer 2010 Labor and Employment Law Observer covers topics of interest to in-house counsel, human resources professionals and corporate management.

Winter 2010 [Labor & Employment Observer]

March 01, 2010

Our Winter 2010 Labor & Employment Law Observer covers a multitude of topics of interest to in-house counsel, human resources professionals and corporate management.

Social Media Update: United States Supreme Court to Rule on Novel 'Sexting' Privacy Case [Labor and Employment Alert!]

December 17, 2009

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of a case in which a federal appeals court ruled that an employer violated an employee’s right to privacy when it audited his text messages and found sexually explicit and otherwise personal messages. The implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling will be significant.

IRS Begins Major Initiative to Audit 6,000 Companies [Labor and Employment Alert!]

November 23, 2009

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has determined to perform its most expansive and widespread audit initiative in recent history. Beginning in early 2010, the IRS will audit the federal tax returns of 6,000 companies to assess compliance with tax and labor regulations. This new audit initiative will be conducted in three phases, with the IRS studying the tax returns of 2,000 companies in each of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Employment Classification Trilogy - Part I of III: The Overtime Exemption Dilemma [HotelExecutive.Com]

November 03, 2009

As we rapidly approach the end of 2009, it is clear that wage and hour lawsuits continue to make up a large portion of all new cases filed in federal court.

Lawyers warn: Bosses who 'friend' are begging to be sued [The National Law Journal]

October 22, 2009

Bosses who ''friend'' their subordinates on social networking sites may seem warm and harmless, but they've got liability risk written all over them. So warn employment lawyers.

Fall 2009 [Labor and Employment Observer]

October 01, 2009

We are pleased to present the latest edition of the Labor and Employment Observer. We hope you find this issue both useful and informative.

New York Employers on Notice: The Labor Law Imposes New Notice Requirements [Labor and Employment Alert!]

September 14, 2009

New York employers must now comply with new notice obligations owed to employees, and also must now consider tougher penalty provisions for violations of New York's wage and hour laws.

Experts: Carefully Consider Independent Contractor Classifications [Independent Contractor]

September 08, 2009

Given the present state of the economy, employers are looking for ways to reduce costs and overhead. One way a company may choose to save money is to classify current workers or new hires as independent contractors rather than employees, but misclassifying employees - even unintentionally - can prove to be extremely expensive for employers, opening them up to administrative fines and penalties as well as costly private lawsuits.

Employers Face Crackdown On Misclassification [Law360]

August 13, 2009

Employers looking to save money and avoid layoffs by classifying workers as independent contractors are facing heightened scrutiny by federal and state work force agencies, whose own coffers are shrinking the rise of the U.S. jobless rate and the consequent decline in payroll taxes.

Schmidt: Cutting costs by using independent contractors is risky [Long Island Business News]

August 10, 2009

Despite recent news that the economy may have finally bottomed out, businesses small and large continue to look for ways to reduce costs. One method has been to retain independent contractors in lieu of employees and to reclassify current employees as independent contractors.

Top Five Hazards of a Hotel's Economy-driven Employment Decisions [Hotel Business Review]

June 22, 2009

Times are tough. Employers in the hotel and hospitality industries are not immune from the impact that the weakened economy has on their personnel issues. In order to minimize the legal tsunami that can result from economy-driven employment decisions that are made, it is critical for hotel and hospitality employers to take appropriate steps to minimize potential legal exposure.

Spring 2009 [Labor and Employment Observer]

June 01, 2009

Our Spring 2009 Labor and Employment Law Observer covers a multitude of topics of interest to in-house counsel, human resources professionals and corporate management. Many of these articles are particularly timely given the changing political climate and our increasingly technology driven society.

Winter 2009 [Labor and Employment Observer]

January 01, 2009

Our Winter 2009 Labor and Employment Law Observer covers a multitude of topics of interest to -in-house counsel, human resource professionals and corporate management. Many of these articles are particularly timely given the changing political climate and current difficult economic environment.

Avoiding The Hazards Of Economy-Driven Decisions [Law360]

December 08, 2008

Times are tough. The weakened economy has spared few industries, causing companies big and small to re-examine their personnel needs and make tough decisions. hard times require businesses to strengthen their resolve to avoid the legal tsunami that can result from such economy-driven decisions. This article sets forth the best practices to help your company minimize its potential exposure in five primary areas.

Work Overtime to Ensure That Your Unauthorized Employees Do Not [The Corporate Counselor]

August 01, 2008

As we have passed the mid-way point of 2008, it is clear that wage and hour lawsuits continue to dominate a large portion of all new cases filed in court each day. This noticeable surge will continue, if not further increase, as current and former employees claim in increasing numbers that they have been classified improperly as ''exempt'' employees and thus are owed overtime premium pay.

The New York Court of Appeals Resolves Issues Concerning the Calculation of Earned Commissions [Labor and Employment Alert!]

June 25, 2008

On June 10, 2008, the New York Court of Appeals issued a decision that is significant for the financial services industry, the real estate and insurance brokerage industries, and any other industry or employer that compensates its New York employees in whole or in part on a commission basis. Specifically, the Court of Appeals decided in Pachter v. Bernard Hodes Group, Inc. that New York Labor Law provisions governing the payment of wages and commissions

Winter 2008 [Labor and Employment Observer]

February 29, 2008

Our Winter 2008 Labor and Employment Law Observer covers a multitude of topics of interest to in-house counsel, human resource professionals and corporate management. Recently, President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, which expands the FMLA to provide enhanced leave for families of military personnel. Additionally, in mid-February 2008, the Department of Labor propounded new proposed regulations regarding the FMLA. Moreover, in late February, the Supreme Court weighed in on the use of ''me too'' evidence during trials.

Amendment to New York Law Requires Written Agreements with Commissioned Salespersons [Labor and Employment Alert]

November 01, 2007

As of October 16, 2007, New York law has been amended to require that the terms of employment for all commissioned salespersons be put in writing.

Labor and Employment Law Update	Philadelphia, PA	06/14/2017
Wage & Hour Claims & Class Actions	New York, NY	06/12/2017
Hot Labor and Employment Law Topics Under the New Administration	Fort Lauderdale, FL	03/23/2017
2017 Midwinter Meeting of the Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee	Mexico	02/22/2017
Webinar - Violating Employment AND Antitrust Law: New Developments with Non-Compete Agreements	Webinar	12/06/2016
2016 ACC Annual Meeting	San Francisco, CA	10/19/2016
The New Overtime Regulations: Strategies and Options for Compliance Within Your Labor Budget	Webinar	06/22/2016
The New Overtime Regulations: Consequences and Compliance Strategies	Webinar	05/25/2016
New FLSA Proposed Regulations: What May Change, What Won't Change, What's Next for Employers	Wilmington, DE	12/10/2015
When Politics "Trumps" Office Rules: What Employees Can Say at Work & Online	Webinar	11/12/2015
3rd Annual Privacy & Cybersecurity Summit: Beyond The Basics for In-House Counsel	New York, NY	10/02/2015
It’s Not Just Sexual Harassment Anymore: Developing the Appropriate Workplace Mindset, Policies, and Training for Cultural Sensitivity in the US	Webinar	09/29/2015
The Labor Department’s Proposed Changes to Overtime Rules and What They Mean for Employers	Webinar	08/13/2015
2015 New York Law Journal In-House Counsel CLE Seminar	New York, NY	04/21/2015
Developing Effective Social Media Policies in Light of National Labor Relations Board Decisions	Webinar	03/31/2015
Above the Law: Converge Conference	New York, NY	03/18/2015
2015 Sports Law for Rookies and Veterans	Miami Beach, FL	03/05/2015
2014 Cybersecurity Update: Protecting Sensitive Information	Philadelphia, PA	11/13/2014
The 2014 ACC Annual Meeting	New Orleans, LA	10/28/2014
Suffolk County Bar Association's 24th Annual Law in the Workplace Conference	Hauppauge, NY	09/19/2014
Employees Use of Social Media in the Workplace: 2014 Perspective	Webinar	09/02/2014
Polish Your Social Media Policy	Webinar	05/27/2014
4th Annual Sports Law CLE for Rookies and Veterans	Miami, FL	04/24/2014
Cozen O'Connor's 2nd Annual Privacy & Cybersecurity Summit	New York, NY	02/27/2014
PACT Industry Event	Philadelphia, PA	01/15/2014
Social Media and Employment Law	Philadelphia, PA	12/03/2013
Social Media: Legal and Ethical Issues for In-House Counsel	Minneapolis, MN	11/12/2013
NELA's Fall 2013 New York City Conference on Representing Employees	New York, NY	10/11/2013
New York Law Journal's In-House Counsel CLE Seminar	New York, NY	07/24/2013
The AFPM Labor Relations and Human Resources Conference	Orlando, FL	05/22/2013
Update and New Developments in Social Media and Employment Law	Webinar	05/13/2013
Cybersecurity: Protecting Sensitive Information	New York, NY	05/08/2013
E-Discovery and ESI for Employment Lawyers	Webcast	04/30/2013
Annual Law in the Workplace Conference	Central Islip, NY	03/08/2013
PACT Industry Series Event Cybersecurity: Protecting Sensitive Information	West Conshohocken, PA	01/30/2013
Obama Administration 2.0: What It Means for Employers	Houston, TX	01/24/2013
4th Annual Fundamentals of Employment Law Seminar	White Plains, NY	11/13/2012
The Long Island Compensation Association's Consortium of Regional Businesses	Melville, NY	11/07/2012
Politics and the Workplace: Best Practices for Employee and Corporate Political Activity	Webinar	09/20/2012
Social Media and Employment Law: The Top 10 Issues of 2012	Webinar	05/23/2012
Employment Law Beyond the Basics Seminar	White Plains, NY	11/01/2011
The Future of Social Media & the Law	New York, NY	10/05/2011
Strictly Hospitality Seminar	Scottsdale, AZ	09/21/2011