Risa M Salins

February 02, 2007 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, summarize recent legislative developments in New York and New Jersey -- including the Garden State's recognition of civil unions -- which provide for key changes in the workplace and highlight some of the steps that employers will need to take to be in compliance.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

10 minute read

June 05, 2009 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, review U.S. Supreme Court rulings from this term regarding the enforceability of a collective bargaining agreement provision requiring arbitration of claims under antidiscrimination statutes, application of Title VII's anti-retaliation provision to an employee who participates in an employer's internal investigation, the ability of a local union to charge nonmembers a fee for national litigation expenses, and enforceability of a state law barring payroll deductions for political activities.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

11 minute read

August 07, 2009 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, analyze high court decisions regarding whether discarding test results which appeared to disparately impact minorities constitutes unlawful reverse discrimination; the appropriate burden of proof for disparate treatment claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act; whether common law waiver of plan benefits is effective under ERISA when the waiver is inconsistent with plan documents; and the proper standard for determining whether a federal court has jurisdiction to compel arbitration under �4 of the Federal Arbitration Act.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

11 minute read

February 01, 2008 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, review the recent decision in Guard Publishing, where the National Labor Relations Board ruled on whether there is a statutory right to use a company e-mail system, which labor groups argue has become a "gathering place" for communications on work and nonwork issues, to organize employees and engage in concerted activities protected by �7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

9 minute read

April 03, 2009 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, write that the debate over the Employee Free Choice Act's card check provision has been heated. Opponents contend that, in contrast to secret ballot elections, authorization cards will reflect peer pressure more than an employee's actual wishes with respect to union representation and a card drive is typically concluded before an employer has the opportunity to present its side, while supporters argue that employers would have ample opportunity to present their positions and that they usually use that time to be coercive rather than informative.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

11 minute read

August 01, 2008 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, discuss decisions made by the Supreme Court during its 2007-08 term on topics that include whether discrimination based on an employee's pension status violates the ADEA, enforceability of contracts that expand judicial review of arbitration awards beyond that provided for in the FAA and burdens of proof in disparate impact cases under the ADEA.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

11 minute read

October 03, 2008 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, write that as Wall Street and the economy reel with bad news and the announcement of likely job reductions, it is timely to consider the brand-new New York statute governing layoffs. Democratic Governor David Paterson recently signed into law the New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which will become effective on Feb. 1, 2009.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

10 minute read

June 01, 2007 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, write that while confidentiality is understandably a concern when preparing for a merger or acquisition, a recent Appellate Division decision highlights the risks associated with employers misrepresenting the truth about contemplated organizational changes when such plans may impact employees' continued employment.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

10 minute read

April 09, 2007 | Law.com

Federal courts have traditionally held that discrimination on the basis of transgender status, like discrimination based on sexual orientation, is not prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. However, attorneys John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins write that there is a growing trend -- grounded in a U.S. Supreme Court decision on "sex stereotyping" -- toward recognizing a cause of action for sex discrimination under Title VII when a transgender person suffers an adverse employment action.

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

9 minute read

April 04, 2008 | New York Law Journal

John P. Furfaro, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Risa M. Salins, an associate at the firm, review recent case law involving the exemption from Title VII's prohibitions against religious discrimination in employment which had customarily been reserved for formal houses of worship or organizations owned or closely affiliated with them

By John P. Furfaro and Risa M. Salins

11 minute read