Legal

‘On Call’ Hours Possibly Done for NYC Retail Workers
December 7, 2016 at 9:35 am

Businesses in New York City may soon be fined if they force employees to work “on call” shifts that aren’t confirmed until the last minute. Supporters of the a new bill brought before City Council on Tuesday say it would give retail and fast-food workers more control over their work schedules. Under the bill, employers…

Ikea Expanding U.S. Employees’ Paid Parental Leave
December 7, 2016 at 9:30 am

Ikea’s U.S. division will begin offering longer parental leave to all employees who are new parents starting in the New Year. The furniture retailer announced this week that it will offer 13,000 salaried and hourly employees in the U.S. up to four months of paid parental leave. The policy applies to mothers and fathers who…

Wal-Mart Settles Discrimination Suit Over Same-Sex Spouse Benefits
December 5, 2016 at 12:13 pm

Wal-Mart announced on Friday that it had settled a lawsuit that accused the company of discriminating against gay employees when it denied health insurance benefits to same-sex spouses. Under the deal, Wal-Mart will set aside $7.5 million, mostly to compensate employees affected by the denial of spousal benefits during the three years before Jan. 1,…

FTC Review Delays Cabela’s-Bass Pro Merger
December 2, 2016 at 11:59 am

The merger between Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's has seem to hit a bit of a bump in the road. According to the New York Post, the Federal Trade Commission has asked Bass Pro Shops for more information on its $5.5 billion acquisition of Cabela's, a move that may hold up the deal for up…

Levi's CEO Asks Customers to Keep Guns Out of Stores
December 1, 2016 at 10:16 am

Levi Strauss CEO Chip Bergh asked customers to refrain from bringing guns into its stores, even when local laws allow for it. Bergh posted an open letter to LinkedIn on Wednesday saying he was aware the move might anger some, but reassured isn't a political statement — it’s about safety. Bergh’s post comes just a…

UK Retailer Enters Bid for Nasty Gal
November 30, 2016 at 11:05 am

Nasty Gal may have just been given a second chance. Boohoo, a Manchester-based fast-fashion e-tailer, has filed a certificate of incorporation of a private limited company for Nasty Gal Inc. Business of Fashion reports Boohoo has previously made many efforts to expand outside of the UK, opening pop-up shops in New York City during the…

TJX to Comply With Overtime Pay Despite Block of Obama Rule
November 30, 2016 at 9:53 am

TJX, the largest public company based in Massachusetts by revenue, plans to proceed with the Obama administration's Fair Labor Standards Act expanding overtime pay for workers, despite a judge's ruling last week that blocked the policy from taking effect. The rule, which would raise the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 gradually for overtime-eligible employees, was…

Judge Blocks Overtime Rule; Retailers Cheer Decision
November 23, 2016 at 10:30 am

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked an Obama administration rule to extend mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers from taking effect, imperiling one of the outgoing president's signature achievements for boosting wages. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant, in Sherman, Texas, agreed with 21 states and a coalition of business groups, including the…

Empty Stores for Retailers Near Trump Tower
November 17, 2016 at 10:43 am

Barricades line Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets in New York City outside of Trump Tower as protesters show their disapproval for President-Elect Trump and security personnel work to keep the area safe. World-famous retailers like Tiffany & Co. and Gucci are hurting because of the security increase. New York City Mayor Bill de…

Amazon Sues Sellers Over Counterfeit Items
November 16, 2016 at 11:47 am

Amazon.com is striking back. For the first time in the e-tailer's 20-plus year history, Amazon is suing merchants that are selling counterfeit items. Fortune reports the Seattle-based company filed two lawsuits in Washington on Monday, both accusing merchants on its marketplace of selling copies of products and claiming that they're legitimate. Amazon's marketplace has been…