Alaska Employment Law

FMLA expansion: Both the U. S. Senate and House have now passed a bill that includes an expansion of FMLA related to military service.  Pres. Bush is expected to sign the bill.  FMLA expert Carl Bosland summarizes the FMLA changes:

First, the bill adds two categories of covered conditions permitting an eligible employee to take FMLA leave. An eligible employee may take FMLA leave due to “exigencies” (to be defined by the Department of Labor or OPM) related to active military duty.  An employee may also take leave to care for a family member with a “serious illness or injury” incurred in the line of active duty.  Second, the bill allows an eligible employee to take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave once to care for an injured servicemember.  Third, the legislation adds “next of kin” to the family members entitled to take FMLA leave to care for an injured servicemember. 

H/T: FMLA Blog

Burgess on 9th Circuit: Judge Timothy Burgess sat on a 9th Circuit panel (with Andrew Kleinfeld and Sydney Thomas) that today reversed a trial court dismissal of RICO, Sherman Act, and Lanham Act claims made by copy machine lessors against a competitor.  Newcal Industries, Inc. v. Ikon Office Solution, 2008 WL 185520 (9th Cir. Jan. 23, 2008).