Media Mentions
2012
“High Court Applebee’s Ruling Could Hike Payroll Costs”
CFO.com, January 19, 2012
Linda Doyle commented on the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to reconsider an Eighth Circuit ruling on tipping. In effect, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that workers who regularly receive tips should be paid full minimum wage under certain conditions. "The Court’s denial means that the 8th Circuit Court decision stands, and the case will go to trial," said Ms. Doyle. "No matter what the final outcome of the suit, the decision to uphold the rule will set a precedent in the 8th Circuit," she added.
Linda M. Doyle, Employee Benefits
2011
“Most of U.S. Unemployed No Longer Receive Benefits”
FOX News, November 6, 2011
Linda Doyle discussed in this nationally-televised interview some key considerations for recently-terminated employees. While seeking legal counsel “is a very personal decision,” she said, “there can be no harm in at least consulting with a lawyer, but I think it’s critical to manage your lawyer. I’ve seen employees … paying too much money essentially to negotiate nothing.” If given a written termination agreement, Ms. Doyle added, employees should never sign anything immediately, or in the heat of the moment. Click here to view the full segment.
Linda M. Doyle, Employee Benefits
“New Labor Law Could Cast Harsh Light on Companies”
CFO.com, October 21, 2011
Linda Doyle said that labor lawyers who advise company executives during union organizing campaigns could be forced to publicly disclose their guidance under proposed Department of Labor rules. “Right now I can give my clients pretty detailed [union] campaign strategy advice … [including] how to communicate to employees, what to write, what messages to send, and how the CFO or the CEO should speak to the employees,” she noted, but under the proposal “I’d have to be much more cautious as to how I did that.”
2009
Linda Doyle commented in the May 28 Chicago Tribune about an ongoing controversy over whether lawyers' courtroom attire has become too lax. "I think younger people see business casual … and that's what comes to court," she observed. Given that some judges object so such casualness, Ms. Doyle advised lawyers not to take unnecessary risks: "You should strive not to be distracting … except in your argument."
2008
Linda M. Doyle was quoted in the June 13 issue of Employment Law360 in an article regarding employers’ implementation of four-day, 10-hour-per-day workweeks in response to rising gas prices. Ms. Doyle noted that some employees may become disgruntled over a change in schedule if they have commitments that make 10-hour days more difficult. "The most significant issue is child care, where an employee has to pick up a child at 5:30 but now they would have to work until seven. Extra daycare can be very expensive," she said.
Linda M. Doyle, Labor & Employment, Trial
2007
Linda M. Doyle was quoted in a July 16 article published by The National Law Journal regarding the use of the "Larson Test" in the Delaware Supreme Court. The case was brought by an employee in a personal injury suit against a co-worker based on injury by horseplay on the job. Ms. Doyle commented that although most states have a variation of the Larson rule, it is difficult for plaintiffs to get third party damages from other employees. "In the Grabowski decision, he got his workers' comp and now he has to show [his co-workers' actions] were outside the scope of employment," Ms. Doyle said. "That inconsistency would not work in all states."
Linda M. Doyle, HR & Employment Litigation, Labor & Employment, Trial
Linda Doyle was quoted by The Boston Globe on January 10 in regard to the severance pay Thomas Finneran received as president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. "It's not a lot for an executive generally, but it's generous for an executive leaving under these terms," commented Ms. Doyle.
Linda M. Doyle, Labor & Employment, Trial
2006
Linda Doyle was quoted extensively in the February issue of CFO Magazine regarding so-called right-to-smoke laws in some states that make it illegal for employers to discriminate against smokers in employment or hiring decisions.
Linda M. Doyle, Labor & Employment, Trial
2005
Linda Doyle was quoted in the November issue of CFO magazine advising CFOs not to treat noncompete agreements lightly because all too often they are not appreciated in terms of enforceability.
Linda M. Doyle, Labor & Employment, Trial
Linda Doyle was quoted in the April issue of CFO Magazine in regard to increased scrutiny of executives' compensation. Ms. Doyle commented that although executives are giving up stock options "there is a demand for more-predictable compensation," meaning more restricted stock grants, stock appreciation rights, and deferred-compensation elements rather than stock options alone.
Linda M. Doyle, Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Trial
Linda Doyle was quoted in the January issue of Corporate Counsel regarding the certification one of the largest civil rights class action in history, a gender discrimination suit brought by 1.6 million current and former female Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. employees. Ms. Doyle discussed the case and said that for Wal-Mart, class certification has taken the settlement value of that case into the tens of millions of dollars. She was asked about the recent changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations regarding exempt employees and class action FLSA litigation. She stated that, depending on the size of the company, a mistake in the exempt/non-exempt classification can cost a company several million dollars, because the statue of limitations on the FLSA cases is two or three years depending on the violation and employers are required to pay back pay to all employees improperly classified as exempt.
