Unemployment has risen up to 9.2 percent which has increased from 9.1 percent in May 2010. As of May 2010, Long Island’s average of person who do not have jobs is at 6.7 percent. While the country’s private sector has added 57,000 jobs in May 2010, the federal, state and local governments have cut 39,000 jobs. Research experts find the temporary factors such as the Japanese earthquake have hurt recent job numbers. See: http://www.newsday.com/business/unemployment-hits-9-2-percent-as-hiring-stalls-1.3012351

Despite the gloomy outlook for jobs, many people who do have jobs should be aware of their rights. The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. The broadest federal law that restricts the employment and abuse of child workers is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Overtime pay at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek. See: http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/index.htm

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of labor laws, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, and workers compensation lawsuits. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW

Despite the new passage of gay marriage rights in New York, marriage license applications still used the terms “bride” and “groom” on the day after its passage. It was unknown if the form requesting for “Groom Info” and “Bride Info” was serving as a temporary deterrent to marriage applications. The Independent Democratic Conference advocacy group of New York State Senators averaged that 21,000 gay and lesbian couples would marry in the first three years the law was passed. Full Article: http://news.yahoo.com/first-day-hiccup-ny-same-sex-marriages-000228717.html

To date, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Additionally, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not enforce the protections that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation. Please visit the EEOC’s website for further information: www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html.

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C., are dedicated to obtaining successful outcomes for their clients regarding discrimination claims. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658.