News & Events

By Maureen E. Carr, Esq.

Many American households employ domestic workers such as housekeepers, nannies, and gardeners. This article addresses the legal requirements governing such relationships, including compensation, tax, and recordkeeping obligations.

Compensation Requirements

For years lawyers have advised employers in the Fourth Circuit (the federal circuit for appeals from United States District Courts of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina) that crude and boorish sexual comments alone are not generally sufficient to create a hostile work environment for purposes of proving a sexual harassment claim under Title VII. Generally, in the Fourth Circuit, courts have found that comments alone are not sufficient to create an environment that is severe and pervasive enough to constitute harassment as a matter of law.

The District of Columbia joined Delaware, Illinois, West Virginia and Maryland by enacting legislation to give additional protections to pregnant workers.  On October 24, 2014, the District of Columbia enacted the “Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2014” (PPWFA or the Act).   Provided that Congress does not disapprove of the PPWFA, the PPWFA will become effective sometime in late 2014.  The PPWFA gives pregnant employees and applicants, and recently pregnant employees (those who have recently given birth) and applicants, broad protections that might not otherwise be available to t

December 12, 2017

Rees Broome, PC

The Virginia Common Interest Community Ombudsman issued its 2016-17 Report which provides details on the number and types of common interest community complaints adjudicated by that office during the reporting period.

Amending Government Documents

Assistance Animals

September 10, 2018

Erik W. Fox, Esq.

(9/6/2018)

MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The Fairfax Board of Supervisors voted on July 31, 2018 to permit short term rentals within the County.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS will be allowed in single-family homes, townhouses, condos, mobile homes and apartments. Per the Fairfax County website, the rules are:

• Owners or renters must be permanent residents of the property they offer for short-term lodging. This limitation is to prevent businesses from operating multiple, full-time rentals, like a hotel or motel, in residential neighborhoods.