Alabama Employment Law Report

Sexting at Mountain Brook High School.  Yesterday, Al.com reported that the Mountain Brook, Alabama police are investigating multiple complaints into "sexting" at Mountain Brook High School.  Carol Robinson reported that MB police were advised by school officials that they had "developed issues with sexting".  MB police stated that the investigation involves juveniles.  Sexting is sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, usually between cell phones.  If charged and convicted, individuals who sext photographs of minors may be guilty of production and/or possession of child pornography, which can result in being required to register as a sex offender. 

Practice pointer.  I have had the opportunity to speak to college students in the past, and next month I will be speaking to high school students on behalf of Girls Inc. concerning the dangers of the internet/social media.  Sexting is one of the topics I cover:  most of us have done some stupid things in our lives, but when I was growing up and in college, there were no cell phones and no internet.  Now, a stupid stunt can get someone arrested, and if it involves sexting, especially with a minor, can result in being branded a sex offender for the rest of ones life.  For those readers in north Alabama, I will be speaking on social media on behalf of Sterling Education Services on November 8 in Huntsville.  If you are interested in attending, you can register here.

New Child Labor Law Poster Required in Alabama.  Effective October, 2012, the Alabama Department of Labor has mandated a change in the Child Labor poster, updating recordkeeping requirements for employers and changing an address and phone number.  New posters should be in place by month's end. 

Growing Businesses and Employment Laws.  An informative article appeared in the Journal of South Mississippi Business that serves as a reminder for growing businesses to comply with federal employment laws.   The article notes that as a business grows, different laws apply.  Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act apply when the number of employees on the payroll reaches 15, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies at 20, the Family Medical Leave Act at 50 and the requirement to file an EEO-1 report kicks in at 100.