The Three Step Audit Before Discharing an Employee

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, […]
Puerto Rico’s Whistleblower Act
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. […]
Constructive Discharge in Puerto Rico
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 . […]
Wages and Overtime in Puerto Rico
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. […]
Ateo Demanda Policia de PR por Discrimen
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 […]