Photo of Jarad M. Lucan

Jarad is chair of Shipman's Employment and Labor Practice Group, where he practices on behalf of both public and private sector clients.  Jarad has successfully represented employers in grievance arbitration matters, prohibited practice proceedings before the State Board of Labor Relations, and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.  He has also represented employers in cases involving claims of discrimination and retaliation before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and State and Federal Courts.

On Monday, February 5, 2024, the Region 1 Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued a Decision and Direction of Election that permits the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team to proceed forward with a union election. 

The National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) grants expansive rights to employees of most private sector

On January 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a final rule (“Final Rule”) defining the term independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), rescinding the previous definition of independent contractor outlined in 2021 (“2021 Rule”). The Final Rule establishes a six-factor test based on the economic reality of the worker

On August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued a 3-2 decision, Stericycle, Inc., that adopted a new legal standard for evaluating employers’ workplace policies and rules. Under the new standard, an employer’s workplace policy may violate employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) if its policies have a “reasonable

As the cannabis industry grows both locally and nationally, labor organizers have increasingly targeted the field for unionization. While Connecticut is one of the earlier states to legalize cannabis, Connecticut only recently joined the ranks of states with unionized cannabis workers. As a result, Connecticut-based cannabis companies arguably enjoy some benefit from having the opportunity

Last week, amid much anticipation, the EEOC released a new technical assistance document for employers, providing guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), while ensuring compliance with Title VII. Entitled “Assessing Adverse Impact in Software, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Used in Employment Selection Procedures Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of

Businesses entering the provisional license stage in Connecticut’s nascent adult-use cannabis market are beginning to grapple with labor and employment issues.  In addition to hiring a workforce, prospective cannabis businesses must also consider the role of organized labor.  The Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act (the “Cannabis Act”) contains specific requirements for cannabis businesses pertaining

On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued a new decision restricting the ability of private-sector employers to include non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions within severance agreements.  The decision, McLaren Macomb and Local 40 RN Staff Council, Office and Professional Employees, International Union (OPEIU), AFL–CIO, Case 07–CA–263041, reversed two Trump-era decisions that permitted

Current and former college athletes are suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) over the NCAA’s failure to pay them an hourly wage.  Last week, the Third Circuit heard argument about whether student athletes may be considered employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  (“FLSA”).  

The case before the Third Circuit is not unique.  In 2016

As the holiday season approaches, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued four pro-labor decisions of varying impact.  One decision maintains the status quo; two decisions return to an Obama-era standard, and the fourth creates an entirely new remedy for unfair labor practice cases.  Each case will be addressed in turn below.

Maintaining the Status

On Friday, the Chairman and the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board authored a letter to Congress, informing lawmakers that without additional funds in the upcoming year, the NLRB will be forced to furlough employees amidst a budget crisis — even as the agency’s workload surges. The letter paints the issue in stark