Whether you are left or right, blue or red, liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, it’s hard to argue that the first 28 days of POTUS 45 have been anything other than a dumpster fire. It culminated over the past 48 hours with Trump’s bizarre press conference, and withdrawal of his nominee for Labor Secretary, Andy Puzder.
And then Trump did something amazing. He nominated someone eminently qualified to run the Department of Labor. Alexander Acosta will become the next Secretary of Labor. What do you need to know about Secretary-to-be Acosta?
- He served a well regarded term on the National Labor Relations Board from from 2002 to 2003.
- He is a former Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, where, among other acts, he defended the civil rights of American Muslims.
- He is a former Supreme Court clerk and former U.S. Attorney
- He is currently a law school dean.
- Once confirmed, he will become the first Hispanic-American member of Trump’s cabinet, bringing some much needed diversity to the table.
Mr. Acosta should sail through the confirmation process.
Bravo, President Trump. You and I have had a rough four weeks. This decision, however, is exemplary. Can you please make more decisions like this one?
Here’s what I read this week:
- Happy Valentine’s Day: Tales of Harassment Horror at Work — via Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas, at Inc.
- This right here is why you train your managers to take all complaints of harassment seriously. — via Eric Meyer’s The Employer Handbook Blog
- No Love for Guns in Workplace Is Protected, Court Finds — via Dan Schwartz’s Connecticut Employment Law Blog
- Employee Fired for Being Associated with “Too Much Drama” Allowed to Proceed to Trial on Hostile Work Environment and Retaliation Claims — via Wisconsin Employment & Labor Law Blog
- An employee with cancer cuts back on overtime. Can she be fired for that? — via Work Place Coach Blog News
- Is the new EEO-1 form here to stay? Maybe yes, and maybe no… — via Robin Shea’s Employment & Labor Insider
- Harassment Training Is “Political Correctness,” Says Angry Lawmaker — via FisherBroyles
- EEOC says transgender worker’s firing not shielded by religious freedom law — via Reuters
- Retaliation claim of police officer suspended for Facebook posts sent to trial — via Technology for HR
- Requiring Social Media Passwords as a Condition of Entry to the U.S.? — via Ride The Lightning
- Website Accessibility Suits Increase, But Regulations’ Fate Unclear Under Trump — via HR Daily Advisor
- How to Recognize a Risky Email — via Lawyerist
- ‘Shock & Awe’ Ransomware Attacks Multiply — via Dark Reading
- There’s a Thin Line Between Business and Politics — via Workforce Magazine
- Facebook Moves to 20 Days Bereavement Leave, Makes Your Company Look Petty As Hell… — via The HR Capitalist, Kris Dunn
- Growing Pains — via Next Blog
- The Rules for Office Romances — via The Tim Sackett Project
- Trade Secret Misappropriation Defendant Dodges Sanctions after Wiping Computer — via Michigan Employment Law Advisor
- Three Things Employers Can Expect When Employees Work Remotely — via HR Gazette
- Why Your Standard Agreements with Staffing Agencies Are Risky Business (Starring Tom Cruise) — via Who Is My Employee?
- HIPAA for HR - Some Good News for Employers — via Trade Secret / Noncompete Blog
- An Employee Doesn’t Follow Your FMLA Call-in Policy? Apparently, You Now Have to Ask Him Why He Couldn’t — via Jeff Nowak’s FMLA Insights
- Watch What You Say: HR Manager’s Comments Send Leave Case to Trial — via HR Daily Advisor
- Employer’s Honest Belief Sufficient to Defeat FMLA Retaliation Claim — via LE Blog
- Time For Unions To Figure Out The Internet — via Deadspin
- Will “Right-to-Work” become Federal law? — via Mike Haberman’s Omega HR Solutions
- Union Vote at Boeing Plant Tests Labor’s Sway Under Trump — via The New York Times
- Surprise! The Employees of the Vendor You Hired Might be Your Employees Too — via Iowa Employment Law Blog
- Supreme Court Delays Oral Arguments Regarding Employment ‘Class Arbitration’ Waivers — via Employment Matters Blog
- Court Refuses To Dismiss Challenge To OSHA Practice Allowing Unions To Accompany OSHA Workplace Investigations — via Employer Defense Law Blog
- Demotion of Cleveland airport whistleblower appears to have been in retaliation, OSHA finds — via Cleveland.com