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Donna Ballman

Contributor

Donna Ballman’s new book, Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards, was recently released and is currently available for purchase. The book won the Law category of the 2012 USA Best Book Awards. Donna is the award-winning author of The Writer’s Guide to the Courtroom: Let’s Quill All the Lawyers, a book geared toward informing novelists and screenwriters about the ins and outs of the civil justice system. She’s been practicing employment law, including negotiating severance agreements and litigating discrimination, sexual harassment, noncompete agreements, and employment law issues in Florida since 1986. Her blog on employee-side employment law issues, Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home, was named one of the 2011 ABA Blawg 100 and the 2011 Lexis/Nexis Top 25 Labor and Employment Law Blogs.

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Most Recent Post

Your Job Isn't What The Employer Promised: Is That Illegal?

Your Job Isn't What The Employer Promised: Is That Illegal?

Your Job Isn't What The Employer Promised: Is That Illegal?

I recently received this question from a reader. Q: I was hired for a specific job with a specific job title. Months later, my employer changed my title without asking me and made me work in a role that I neither wanted nor was qualified for. I wouldn't have left my prior job for the newly changed job title....

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Can You Be Fired For Calling In Sick -- Even With A Doctor's Note?

Can You Be Fired For Calling In Sick -- Even With A Doctor's Note?

I recently received this question from a reader: Q: I have missed about a week and half of work due to being really sick. I can barely talk and have no voice. Keep in mind here my job is a telesales rep. I call people all day. Are they legally able to fire me even though I have a doctor's note every day I...

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7 Ways You Can Be Fired For Your Appearance -- Legally

7 Ways You Can Be Fired For Your Appearance -- Legally

You've almost certainly heard about the dentist who was so afraid that he couldn't resist sexually harassing his very attractive female employee that he fired her. The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the firing, saying that firing someone because they're too attractive didn't violate Iowa law. If you haven't heard...

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Can Your Employer Demand Your Social Media Passwords?

Can Your Employer Demand Your Social Media Passwords?

You might remember in early 2012 the report of an employer who was demanding that applicants turn over social media passwords. Suddenly, employees came forward with similar stories, prompting Facebook to threaten suit against employers who violate user privacy. Since then, states have jumped into action....

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An Employer Asks You To Do Work For Free: Legal Or Not?

An Employer Asks You To Do Work For Free: Legal Or Not?

Dear Donna, I run into many problems with employers regarding availability and doing free work to promote business. An example is: A company would tell me that I am an independent contractor but would require me to stay in the area, without pay, in case someone would want to schedule my services last-minute.

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Job Application Questions: Are Employers Really Allowed To Ask You That?

Job Application Questions: Are Employers Really Allowed To Ask You That?

For many employers, the job application is the first contact they have with you as a prospective employee. What can they ask you? What does it mean? What should you answer to some of those questions? Here are some areas of concern in your employment application.

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Biggest Myths About The Right-To-Work Laws

Biggest Myths About The Right-To-Work Laws

Advocates of right-to-work laws argue that right-to-work laws will benefit workers. Will they? What rights do these laws give employees -- and their bosses? AOL Jobs legal affairs blogger Donna Ballman, who is an employment attorney, answers a reader's question on this subject and in the process debunks what...

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9 Ways Your Employer Can Legally Spy On You

9 Ways Your Employer Can Legally Spy On You

I've always said that Florida is the center of weirdness in the universe, so it came as no surprise to me that the recent story about a voyeur who installed a spy camera in the ladies' room at work, allegedly to make sure his co-workers were doing their jobs, happened in West Palm Beach. While this guy is...

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8 Ways Employers Can Discriminate Against Workers -- Legally

8 Ways Employers Can Discriminate Against Workers -- Legally

I talk lots about illegal discrimination, but there are many forms of employment discrimination that are perfectly legal. Here are some of the types of discrimination that may be legal if they happen to you:

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