Jamie Hedgepath's practice focuses on employment issues, including employment discrimination, FMLA, wage payment and employee handbook matters. Mr. Hedgepath also practices extensively in the areas of ERISA and employee benefits litigation. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Hedgepath worked for several years as a member of management for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. where he dealt with employment related issues on a daily basis. While in law school, Mr. Hedgepath was an Articles Editor for the American Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal, and won CALI awards in the areas of Real Estate Transactions and Law and Economics. Mr.Hedgepath regularly speaks to employer groups and associations and has been published in a number of employment related periodicals. News Jamie Hedgepath Earns Certification in Employment and Labor Law Hedgepath, a Member (Partner) in the firm's Greenville office, is the eighth Nexsen Pruet attorney to earn the designation. Nexsen Pruet Moves into New Office Space in Greenville Nexsen Pruet has moved into new office space in Greenville. Nexsen Pruet Elects Four New Members Nexsen Pruet announced today that Laurie Becker, Jim Blair, Jamie Hedgepath and Dennis Lynch have been elected Members (partners) of the firm. "Please re-lease me: Upstate office glut looms" The October 27, 2008 edition of GSA Business features a story about Nexsen Pruet's upcoming move and the amount of vacant office space in the Greenville area. Americans with Disabilities Act UPDATE - Employment Law Briefing Covers Recent Developments Employers constantly struggle with how to apply important ADA requirements to day-to-day issues that arise in the workplace. Please join us for a free breakfast briefing for employers about recent developments under the ADA. Three Attorneys Join Nexsen Pruet, Further Strengthening Benefits and Employment Practice Nexsen Pruet, LLC, announced today that three new attorneys have joined the firm, bringing added strength and experience to its employee benefits, labor, and employment practice. Publications I-9 Compliance: Avoiding Traps of New Federal Security Features A redesigned federal document is leading to confusion as businesses try to comply with the I-9 requirement. Employment Law Update - January 2012 As employers plan for 2012, the inherent risk posed by departing employees presents an opportunity to reevaluate measures used to protect confidential information and trade secrets from the high cost of misappropriation. NLRB Delays Requirement for Employers to Post Pro-Union Notice On August 25, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued regulations requiring virtually all employers to post a large notice to employees informing them of rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), particularly their right to unionize. Employers must post the notice beginning April 30th, 2012. Employment Law Update - December 2011 The EEOC is processing a record number of charges and collecting record settlement amounts. It is pursuing an aggressive systemic enforcement program and focusing on hiring issues. In this edition we discuss what the EEOC is doing and some of the implications for employers. 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam Answer Key Last week's final exam generated tremendous response from Nexsen Pruet clients and friends. Congratulations to our winners. 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam It's time to test your knowledge of the current state of employment and labor law. Pro-Union NLRB Presents Challenges to Employers: Employment Law Update - October 2011 Recent pro-union decisions and proposed rules by the NLRB pose challenges for employers. Wrongful Discharge Claims Limit Employment At-Will Doctrine in North and South Carolina: Employment Law Update - September 2011 Supplemental Employment in North and South Carolina is at-will, which generally means an employer can terminate an employee at any time without notice. However, both states have long-recognized exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine, including provisions that an employee cannot be discharged for reasons that contravene the "public policy" of the state. Employment Law Update - August 2011 Supplemental This edition is about a United States Supreme Court decision that illustrates the importance of using clear wording when drafting employee invention assignment agreements. Employment Law Update - August 2011 South Carolina and North Carolina have passed state immigration laws mandating employment verification and imposing penalties for failure to comply. Employment Law Update - July 2011 Employers are increasingly disciplining workers over misuse of social media. At issue in so-called "Facebook Firing" cases is whether terminating employees for making disparaging online posts, and having policies prohibiting such posts, violates federal labor law. Employment Law Update - June 2011 This edition analyzes the EEOC's new final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008. Employment Law Update - May 2011 The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the anti-retaliation provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) extends to an employee's oral complaints. Employment Law Update - April 2011 In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that an employer can be held liable for employment discrimination based upon the discriminatory animus of a supervisor who influenced, but did not make, the ultimate employment decision. Employment Law Update - March 2011 A new U.S. Supreme Court decision allows third-party retaliation claims under Title VII. Employment Law Update - February 2011 This edition reviews inclement weather wage and hour issues. Employment Law Update - January 2011 Pregnancy discrimination claims are on the rise; and the NLRB proposes a mandatory pro-union poster for all employers. Employment Law Update - December 2010 New final regulations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act were published by the EEOC in November and will take effect January 10, 2011. Employment Law Update - November 2010 This edition addresses the enforceability of non-competition agreements in the Carolinas. Employment Law Update - October 2010 This edition focuses on a recent lawsuit brought by the EEOC on behalf of an applicant who claims his employer discriminated against him because of his religion in violation of federal law. The applicant requested the employer make an exception to its grooming policy for religious reasons. The article also mentions steps employers can take to minimize the risk of religious discrimination claims. The Carolinas Insurance Litigation Review This issue of the Carolinas Insurance Litigation Review includes: - "Challenging Policyholder Claims for Bad Faith and Punitive Damages" for North Carolina - "Combating Policyholder Bad Faith and Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing Claims" for South Carolina Employment Law Update - September 2010 Supplemental Part two of a two-part OSHA Update describing what employers can expect in connection with an inspection conducted by South Carolina OSHA and how to contest citations. Employment Law Update - September 2010 The U.S. Supreme Court continues to issue rulings favorable to arbitration agreements in the employment setting. Employment Law Update - August 2010 Supplemental Part one of a two-part OSHA Update describing what employers can do to prepare for an inspection conducted by South Carolina OSHA. Employment Law Update - August 2010 This edition of the newsletter summarizes a Fact Sheet issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) setting out the agency's view of unpaid internships. Employment Law Update - June 2010 This edition reviews a recent decision by the Fourth Circuit federal appeals court examining who is a "supervisor" for purposes of holding a company liable for sexual harassment conduct by a supervisor. Employment Law Update - May 2010 On March 30, 2010, Governor Sanford signed legislation restructuring, and renaming, the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, and amending the state's employment security law. This month's update describes some of the changes that have taken place at the agency and in the benefits claims process. Employment Law Update - February 2010 This month's Employment Law Update addresses some of the legal risks associated with employee use of blackberries and cell phones after work hours or while driving. Employment Law Update - January 2010 As the new year gets underway, the January edition of the Update discusses four resolutions employers will want to consider. Employment Law Update - October 2009 This edition focuses on the EEOC's recent publication that addresses waivers of discrimination claims in employee severance agreements; the EEOC reminds employers and employees about requirements for valid and enforceable releases, especially when the releases are for employees age 40 and older. Employment Law Update - August 2009 This edition focuses on three Department of Labor opinion letters that address how cost-cutting strategies like mandatory furloughs and reduced workweeks may affect an employee's exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also updates pending North Carolina legislation that, if passed, would require private sector employers to use E-Verify to check the legal status of new hires. Employment Law Update - July 2009 This edition discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. decision, which recognized a more stringent standard of proof for employees bringing claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). According to the Court, a plaintiff asserting a disparate-treatment claim under the ADEA must prove that age was the "but-for" cause of an adverse employment action, as opposed to a mere "motivating factor." Employment Law Update - June 2009 Supplemental Starting July 1, 2009, private employers in South Carolina with 100 or more employees must comply with the employment verification requirements of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. Employment Law Update - June 2009 This edition focuses on recent court decisions striking down restrictive covenants for being overly broad and highlights the need to narrowly tailor non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Employment Law Update - May 2009 This edition explains why many employers are seeking privileged legal compliance reviews of their compensation practices and documentation in the aftermath of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Employment Law Update - March 2009 This edition describes the recently enacted Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extends the time period in which employees can pursue pay discrimination claims. Employment Law Update - February 2009 - Special COBRA Edition The economic stimulus law signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, contains significant changes to COBRA, providing for a premium subsidy for eligible employees and also giving eligible individuals another chance to elect COBRA. Employment Law Update - February 2009 This edition summarizes laws and issues that can impact Carolinas employers when downsizing or otherwise reducing payroll or schedules. Employment Law Update - January 2009 This edition summarizes key provisions of the new FMLA regulations, which will require substantial changes in employer policies and practices. Employment Law Update - December 2008 2009 promises to bring many changes and challenges for employers and their human resources departments. This edition identifies employment and labor law compliance issues that can be addressed through audits and employee surveys, as well as policy reviews and training. Employment & Labor Law Desk Reference For The Carolinas Employment Law Update - October 2006 On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed the 900-plus page Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA"), putting in place many reforms to federal tax and employee benefit laws intended to strengthen the nation's private employer retirement system. Employment Law Update - August 2006 U.S. Supreme Court Expands Anti-Retaliation Provision of Title VII Employment Law Update - June 2006 Recent Decisions Highlight Importance Of Background Checks for Employers The Electronic Workplace: Blogs, Cybersmears and Similar Challenges William Floyd of the Columbia office and Jamie Hedgepath of the Greenville office authored this article on the impact of technology on employers, employees, information security and privacy for the May 2006 issue of South Carolina Lawyer. Events 17th Annual South Carolina SHRM State Conference Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefing South Carolina SHRM 2010 State Conference & Exposition Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefing Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefings Webinar: Immigration Compliance & Enforcement Update Document Retention Compliance Seminar Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - ADA Update - May 2006 Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - January 2006 Civic & Professional Memberships · American Bar Association · Greenville County Bar Association · SHRM-Columbia Chapter · South Carolina Bar · Defense Research Institute (DRI) · South Carolina Bar - Young Lawyers Division |