By Heather R. Falks, General Counsel • Office of General Counsel Recent developments in wage and hour standards may impact wages for certain court employees. In April 2024, the Department of Labor finalized a rule (“Final Overtime Rule”) to increase compensation thresholds for overtime eligibility. The rule was set to take effect on July 1, 2024, and additional increases were to occur on January 1, 2025. The chang … [Read more...] about Developments in Department of Labor Rule Application
Employment
Who’s in Charge Here? Judicial oversight of county probation staff
by Heather R. Falks, Deputy General Counsel • Office of General Counsel Probation departments are often large, with many employees, and as a result can be challenging for judges as managers. But proactive management best practices can help judges set their departments up for success and reduce the potential for problems before they occur. Why Probation Oversight Matters Judges are directly responsible for t … [Read more...] about Who’s in Charge Here? Judicial oversight of county probation staff
Gender, Sexual Orientation & Employment
By Heather R. Falks, Deputy General Counsel • Office of General Counsel While more prevalent today, discussions about gender and sexual identity can still feel uncomfortable for some. But there is no need to shy away from becoming educated on recent developments in the law related to gender identity and sexual orientation. These developments make clear the responsibilities of judges and how they interact with t … [Read more...] about Gender, Sexual Orientation & Employment
Your court’s obligations regarding employee use of family medical leave
Heather Falks, Employment Attorney/ADA Coordinator · Office of General Counsel Indiana trial courts have an obligation to offer benefits under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Court employees are employees of the court and not the county; however, many trial courts rely on the county to assist in the administration of FMLA benefits. Even if your court relies on the county to assist you with FMLA, as the … [Read more...] about Your court’s obligations regarding employee use of family medical leave
The Vaccine and Its Impact on Court Operations
By Heather Falks, Employment Attorney & ADA Coordinator | Indiana Supreme Court We finally made it to 2021…and COVID-19 is still here. We all hoped it would feel more familiar—but not in the sense that we are getting used to stockpiling sanitizer and masks. Unfortunately, the concerns of 2020 have not fully dissipated, but the widespread availability of a vaccine gives us hope that our old normal is on the hor … [Read more...] about The Vaccine and Its Impact on Court Operations