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The Three Step Audit Before Discharing an Employee

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

Firing an employee in Puerto Rico for misconduct has legal consequences.  The discharge may be deemed wrongful, discriminatory, retaliatory or in violation of some other law. You need to consider both local and federal labor & employment issues. Fines can be steep and in some cases may require job reinstatement. Before you discharge an individual, reflect on the following issues (and get an employment attorney).  This self-audit may avoid  future wrongful discharge claims. Why are…

Puerto Rico’s Whistleblower Act

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

Puerto Rico’s Act No. 115, P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 29, § 194a, prohibits retaliation against certain defined whistleblowers, namely, against employees who provide testimony “before a legislative, administrative or judicial forum”.  This  broad purpose has served claimants to file a wide variety of lawsuits under numerous circumstances including attempts to bolster simple wrongful discharge claims. The statute at issue, provides in relevant part that: “No employer may discharge, threaten, or discriminate against an employee regarding…

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Constructive Discharge in Puerto Rico

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

An individual sued his employer claiming  constructive discharge.  The court ruled in his favor and  ordered the  employer to pay $436,634.62  under Puerto Rico’s Wrongful Discharge Act 80. This is what happened in the recent case of Garrote v Airequipo ( KLAN201200956 – Bayamon Court Appeals Panel ). The company was a family-run business . In Puerto Rico all terminations are presumed unjustified under Act 80 . However when a person avers that he/she has…

Wages and Overtime in Puerto Rico

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

In Puerto Rico, wages and overtime compensation is regulated by both federal (F.L.S.A.) and state law.  Under Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution, workers in the Island are guaranteed among other things a regular work day which shall not exceed eight (8) hours. Under Puerto Rico’s Act No. 379 of May 15, 1948, 29 L.P.R.A. 271 et seq.  and applicable caselaw, jobs governed by the FLSA must be paid an overtime rate of time and…

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Ateo Demanda Policia de PR por Discrimen

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

En abril 8 del 2013, se presentó  una demanda en el tribunal federal del distrito de Puerto Rico contra la Policía de Puerto Rico y seis oficiales. El demandante es un policía que alega ser ateo y que fue hostigado y rebajado de puesto luego que rehusara participar en oraciones cristianas que eran parte de las reuniones de un comandante.  La demanda alega que  la Primera enmienda de la constitución de los Estados Unidos las…