The Virginia Pay Transparency Law (“VPTL”), VA Code § 40.1-28.7:9, prohibits an employer from discharging or taking other retaliatory action against employees for discussing their pay or any other employees’ pay. The law is important because protecting employees’ right to discuss their compensation makes it easier for employees to negotiate for better pay and to...Read More

In Fed. Exp. Corp. v. Holowecki, 552 U.S. 389, 128 S. Ct. 1147 (2008), the Supreme Court held that for an employee’s filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to be deemed a “charge” under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, it must be reasonably construed as a request for the agency to take remedial...Read More

In Kimel v. Fla. Bd. of Regents, 528 U.S. 62, 120 S. Ct. 631 (2000), the Supreme Court held that although the Age Discrimination in Employment Act contains a clear statement of Congress’ intent to abrogate the States’ sovereign immunity, that abrogation exceeded Congress’ authority under § 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Consequently, under Kimel,...Read More

In Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski, 141 S.Ct. 792 (2021), the Supreme Court held that a request for nominal damages satisfies the redressability element necessary for Article III standing where a plaintiff’s claim is based on a completed violation of a legal right. The case is important because it provides a way for plaintiffs whose Constitutional rights...Read More

The False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 – 3733, provides that any person who knowingly submits false claims to the government is liable for triple the government’s damages plus penalties for each false claim. In addition to allowing the federal government to pursue those who submit false claims, the FCA allows private citizens...Read More

In Hoffmann-La Roche v. Sperling, 493 U.S. 165 (1989), the Supreme Court held that under the collective action provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act, District Courts have discretion in Age Discrimination in Employment Act cases to facilitate judicial notice to potential plaintiffs with similar claims, giving them the opportunity to join the case. To...Read More

The North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, or handicap.  The law is codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 143-422.1 to 143-422.3. The NCEEPA applies to employers who regularly employ 15 or more employees. While the statute does not provide a private...Read More

In Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275 (2001), the Supreme Court held that a regulation promulgated by the Department of Justice did not create a private right of action for disparate impact discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Sandoval addressed the question of whether assumedly valid regulations under § 602...Read More

The North Carolina Wage and Hour Act (NCWHA) governs the state-level wage and hour requirements for North Carolina employers and the corresponding rights of covered employees. The law includes requirements for minimum wages, overtime compensation, wage payments, payments of promised wages and benefits, youth employment, and recordkeeping. The law is codified at N.C. Gen. Stat....Read More

Charlottesville attorney Tim Coffield discusses recent advances in Title VII protections for LGBTQ employees.Read More