In a critical follow-up to Kruchowski, et al. v. The Weyerhaeuser Company, a case we first brought to your attention in December, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has again expanded the scope of damages available to employees asserting certain discrimination claims against Oklahoma employers.

On February 18, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a long-awaited decision regarding the right of Oklahoma employers to ban firearms from their property.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This new law includes provisions for a nine-month subsidy of COBRA premiums for employees who are involuntarily terminated. The law also imposes additional administrative and notice requirements on employers that require immediate attention.