About Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Canaan Suitt received his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. After serving as a senior editor for the law school’s comparative law blog, he was a staff member of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (ELPR). As a legal intern at the National Center for State Courts, he assisted in international rule of law projects and policy review; as a research assistant, he studied political dynamics in the U.S. federal judiciary. His articles on law and philosophy have been published in the ELPR as well as the academic journal Dewey Studies. He loves using his background in research and writing to make legal information accessible. Canaan currently writes for SuperLawyers.com. In his free time, he enjoys reading, travel, and being a cat dad.
Articles written by Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Can You Be Forced to Work Overtime? Is it Legal?
Being forced to work extra hours can strain your work-life balance, interfering with personal or family plans. "One can understand the employer's perspective that you have to get the work done, but you also have to be sensitive to employees' work schedules,” says Eric Kingsley, an employment law attorney in Encino, California. When employees work overtime, federal and state laws require that they get overtime pay. But do workers have a right to refuse overtime work altogether? For most …
Can I Legally Opt-Out or Refuse to Pay Union Dues?
After decades of declining union membership, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report shows that about 14 million workers in the United States are labor union members. Many unions strive to improve members’ working conditions, pay, and benefits through collective bargaining agreements. However, despite the potential benefits of union membership, some employees prefer not to join or pay union fees. If this describes you, you may wonder if refusing to join a union or pay dues is legal. …
Can Your Boss Legally Cut Hours Without Notice?
An employer's decision to reduce your pay or hours of work can result in serious financial stress for you and your family. If you're in such a position, you may wonder if the hour or pay reduction is legal. Generally, it is. Because of at-will employment, employers can fire you or give you reduced hours for any or no reason at all — as long as the reason doesn't violate specific laws. For example, employers can't break an employment contract with you. They can't cut your pay in retaliation …
What Is Debtor-Creditor Law?
Debtor-creditor law governs what happens when the debtor-creditor relationship unravels due to nonpayment of debt and creditors seek legal remedies to get their money back. A debtor is a person who owes someone else money due to a payment obligation. A creditor is a person who is owed money due to the payment obligation. Payment obligations can take many forms, including: A mortgage, auto loan, or student loan Credit card debt or other forms of consumer debt Tax liens, when someone fails to pay …
How a DUI Is Proven
Approximately 31 percent of all crash fatalities in the United States involve alcohol-impaired driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts yourself, as well as passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians at great risk. Because of this, every state imposes severe penalties for driving under the influence. Depending on where you live, the crime of drunk driving might be called Driving Under the Influence …
Is It Legal To Install Cameras in the Workplace for Surveillance?
Generally, it's legal for your employer to use video cameras in the workplace. No federal or state law absolutely prohibits the practice, and there are many reasons why cameras can be beneficial, such as monitoring the security of employees and customers. However, there are important limits on where employers can install surveillance cameras and the purposes for which employers can use them. In some cases, an employee's expectation of privacy outweighs an employer's interest in surveillance. If …
Should You Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?
If you were fired from your job and you think it was for an illegal reason, you may have a wrongful termination claim. This article addresses different types of wrongful termination and options for taking legal action. Wrongful termination lawsuits can be very complex. Speaking with an experienced attorney is often essential in getting the best outcome in your case. This article will also help you get started in finding the right attorney. For answers to your specific questions, talk to a local …
Can You Sue Your Employer for Slander and Defamation?
An employer's negative statements about you can seriously impact your personal and professional reputation. You could get turned down for a new position, be passed over for a promotion, or lose your job. If your employer knowingly or recklessly made false statements about you and you were harmed as a result, you can sue them for defamation of character. This article shows how to prove a defamation claim and situations when defamation comes up in employment. Understanding your employees' rights …
Can Your Boss Force You To Work While Sick?
Getting sick is bad enough. Your employer can make the situation worse if they insist you come to work while sick. Making you work while sick could also spread the illness to your co-workers. As an employee, it's essential to understand your employee rights and your options if you get sick while working. This article covers the legal protections employees have when they get sick and how to deal with employers. Is Your Employer Legally Required to Provide Paid Sick Leave? The answer to this …
Is It Illegal To Hire an Employee Under False Pretenses or Promises?
Imagine a hiring manager who wants to recruit their competitor's top salesperson. They know they will have to make the conditions of employment look very attractive. So, the hiring manager tells the salesperson that if they join the new team, they will have access to a larger sales market, lead sales projects, and higher commissions. Based on these promises, the salesperson takes the job. But the new employer doesn't follow through and the salesperson makes less money than before and never gets …
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