In April 2024, we wrote about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) issuance of a “Final Rule” banning employee non-compete clauses, scheduled to take effect on September 4, 2024. Over the last few months, three federal courts have addressed whether a preliminary injunction should stay the rule’s effective date pending the conclusion of lawsuits
Salvatore G. Gangemi
Salvatore G. Gangemi, a partner at Murtha Cullina, is a veteran labor and employment lawyer with nearly 30 years of litigation and counseling experience.
Employers from across the industry spectrum, including established companies in the senior living and health care fields; manufacturing, construction, retail and service firms; and emerging companies, seek Sal’s legal counsel to navigate today’s complex local, state and federal employment laws. His practice includes resolving disputes; advocating in courts and before administrative agencies; counseling on employment-related issues arising from acquisitions; and guiding clients in both long-range strategy and day-to-day administration of their workplaces and employees.
At the federal level, Sal brings extensive experience in OSHA investigations, audits and proceedings; the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Title VII discrimination matters; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). He is also well-versed in state and local employment regulations.
Sal regularly represents clients in matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies. On the state level, he appears before the New York State Division of Human Rights; the New York City Commission on Human Rights; the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; the Connecticut Department of Labor; and the New York State Department of Labor. He has litigated cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets, restrictive covenants, breach of employment contract, fiduciary duty and other work-related common law claims.
Clients rely on Sal’s advice on routine human resources matters that arise in their businesses, including requests for reasonable accommodation for those with disabilities, family and medical leave issues, hiring and termination, and wage and hour concerns. Known for his proactive approach to identifying issues before they escalate, he conducts compliance training on sexual harassment prevention and other topics, performs worker classification practice and policy audits, and drafts employment policies and agreements. Sal shares his knowledge of the ever-evolving employment law landscape by speaking at events, conducting continuing legal education seminars and writing articles for a variety of publications.
Connecticut Supreme Court Adopts Narrow Definition of “Supervisor” for Employer Liability in Hostile Work Environment Claims
In a 4-3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court adopted the federal Title VII standard for determining who is a “supervisor” under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practice Act (CFEPA). The determination of “supervisor” status is critical under Title VII and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act because an employer is presumptively automatically liable for a hostile…
Pennsylvania Federal Court Refuses to Prevent FTC Non-Compete Ban from Taking Effect
Earlier this month, we wrote about a Texas federal court’s issuance of a limited preliminary injunction staying the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) rule banning non-compete clauses for the plaintiffs in that case. Despite not issuing a preliminary nationwide ban, the Texas federal court stated it would render a final decision on August 30, 2024, before…
Texas Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction against FTC Non-Compete Ban Rule
We previously wrote about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) issuance of a rule banning non-compete clauses in employment. The FTC’s issuance of its final rule banning non-compete clauses constituted an unprecedented intrusion into matters of state law, which governed non-compete clauses. Nevertheless, it appears now that the FTC’s non-compete ban is beginning to unravel.
Last…
New York Enacts Paid Prenatal Personal Leave Law
New York has amended its sick leave law (Labor Law § 196-b) to provide paid prenatal personal leave to all employees. Effective January 1, 2025, all employers shall be required to provide their employees with 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave per 52-week period. Prenatal personal leave is leave taken by an employee “during…
FTC Issues Final Rule Banning Non-Compete Clauses
Two days ago, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its “Final Rule” banning non-compete clauses in employment. Until now, the FTC never officially declared that such clauses constituted an “unfair method of competition.” The Final Rule seeks to upend centuries of state law governing the use of non-compete clauses in employment, including state laws that…
Practical Impact of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Final Rule on Independent Contractor Classifications for Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a Final Rule on the standards for determining independent contractor status for purposes of minimum wage and overtime pay issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Although the Final Rule is considered “new,” it is based on the standard that was applied prior to the 2021…
Governor Hochul Vetoes NYS Non-Compete Bill
On December 22, 2023 Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have imposed a ban on non-compete clauses throughout the state of New York for all employees, regardless of earnings level. We wrote about the Senate and Assembly bills that were passed in June, here.
Continue Reading Governor Hochul Vetoes NYS Non-Compete Bill
NLRB and OSHA Enter Into Collaboration Agreement To Pursue Violations Implicating Both NLRA and OSH Act
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have agreed to team up to investigate and enforce protections for workers who raise safety concerns and suffer retaliation as a result.
Continue Reading NLRB and OSHA Enter Into Collaboration Agreement To Pursue Violations Implicating Both NLRA and OSH Act
Major Proposed Hike in Salary-Level Threshold Affecting Overtime Exemptions: What Employers Need to Know
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal to increase the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) salary-level threshold from $35,568 to $55,068, which would result in many more employees being entitled to overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. …
Continue Reading Major Proposed Hike in Salary-Level Threshold Affecting Overtime Exemptions: What Employers Need to Know