Nolo

If you work remotely or use technology on the job, you might wonder whether your employer can make you pay for your own laptop, cell phone, or other equipment. The answer depends on where you work, what you're required to buy, and whether paying for the equipment cuts into your wages or violates state law. In many workplaces, employees use their own devices every day. Some employers offer a company laptop and phone, while others expect workers to use personal equipment.

Losing your job is difficult enough without having to sort through a complicated severance agreement. One provision that often causes confusion is the non-disparagement clause, which may limit what you can say about your former employer after your employment ends. What Is a Non-Disparagement Clause? A non-disparagement clause is a contract term that says you won't make negative statements about your employer, its managers, owners, products, or services.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a performance improvement plan (PIP), look out -- it could be the first step in the firing process. It sounds like such a positive, constructive approach: Give an employee with performance deficiencies a plan to become a more successful and valued contributor. Unfortunately, PIPs are more often used to create a paper trail in preparation for a termination.

By , Attorney Mitchell Hamline School of Law For millions of Americans, owning a firearm and using marijuana has quietly carried a hidden federal risk—criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). This federal law makes it a felony for "unlawful users" of drugs to possess or own a firearm. The drug user doesn't need to be an addict, high at the time, or pose a threat to anyone. Simply using a controlled substance outside its prescribed purpose is enough to trigger charges.

By , Attorney George Mason University Law School Traditionally, law enforcement officers in California haven’t been able to ticket autonomous vehicles, like Waymo robotaxis, for traffic offenses. Only human operators could receive a citation under California law. Under new regulations, California law enforcement officers will be able to send a Notice of Autonomous Vehicle Noncompliance to autonomous vehicle manufacturers beginning on July 1, 2026.

For decades, capital punishment in the United States moved away from older methods of execution—like hanging, the electric chair, and the gas chamber—toward lethal injection. Lethal injection was viewed by many as a more clinical and humane option. But states have struggled for years to get the drugs needed for lethal injection executions, which has led many states and the federal government to look for alternatives.

Yes. Computers and networking systems typically belong to employers, which gives employers the right to monitor what you do on your computer, so long as they have a valid business purpose for doing so. This includes: How you use the internet. Employers can track your internet browsing. Whether you're working. Employers can monitor whether your computer is idle, and can even monitor the number of keystrokes that you type every hour and the actual words that you type. What you keep on your computer.

When you're involved in an accident with a semi, big rig, or other kind of commercial truck, filing a lawsuit means figuring out who is at fault for the crash, drafting the complaint (the document that spells out your case), and serving the lawsuit papers on the driver, their employer, and anyone else you're suing.

By , J.D. University of San Francisco School of Law The World Cup kicks off in just a few weeks, and millions of soccer fans can't wait to put on their jerseys and cheer on their teams at venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Scammers are out in force too, ready to take advantage of fans' desire for a seat at the world's biggest sporting event.

You were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault. Faced with serious injuries, mounting bills, and no way to pay them, the responsible driver’s insurance company won’t bring a fair offer to the table. It’s time to think about a motorcycle injury lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit of any kind can be a daunting task. We walk you through the process, beginning at the crash scene. What does your lawsuit need to include? Are there special rules you must follow?