Latest news with #Nickles
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CHAUDHRI: Can your employer force you back into the office?
While most of my columns as of late have been laser focused on the impact of tariffs to employment law in this country, I would be failing you if I didn't share a meaningful update to the law surrounding remote work. I have written extensively about return to work mandates post-COVID, including the hybrid models rolled out by tech giants like Apple and Meta. Earlier this year, I wrote about the reactions to the immediate to work mandate impacting two million federal workers in the United States. Return to work mandates have, hands down, created the great divide between employers and employees. But the recent Alberta case of Nickles v. 628810 Alberta Ltd. provides a common sense analysis to the legality around requests for employees to return to the office. Margaret Nickles was the office manager of a vein clinic for 37 years. She predominately worked from home for the entirety of her employment. Nickles did come into the office on occasion and when needed but usually at her own discretion. CHAUDHRI: Are you being quiet-fired? CHAUDHRI: Recruitment to new job can mean higher damages in court CHAUDHRI: Time for Canadian businesses to make a turn around There was a change in ownership and the new owner rolled out a mandate to 'return' employees to work in the office. Nickles objected as she always worked remotely. Her role was never 'in office.' In response her employer gave her a three-month notice of the change but insisted she must, after the three months, come in to work in office. When Nickles refused to agree, the employer further revised its offer suggesting she could work two-and-a-half days in the office per week. But the employer reserved the right to alter the days in office to full-time at some later point. Again, Nickles refused to agree and she sued her employer for constructive dismissal. She brought an application for summary judgment to resolve her case. In court, Justice Farrington noted the distinction between Nickles' employment scenario and that of a COVID working arrangement by finding, 'The COVID return-to-work template does not fit this paradigm. This was an arrangement where the work was always from home.' The judge went on to find that the work-from-home arrangement was an integral part of Nickles employment contract and she was entitled to reasonable notice of the change to that term. On that point, Justice Farrington found, 'The notice given was less than three months for a 37 year employee. I am satisfied that there was a constructive dismissal.' While the court didn't have enough evidence to determine what Nickles damages are, one can rest assured that they will be substantial given her 37 years of tenure. The take away from this case is that any employee that commenced a position by working remotely (and not in response to COVID), can reasonably argue that the remote element of the job is integral to the employment contract. This means true remote employees can resist sweeping return-to-work mandates or hybrid models. However, if you principally worked in person and were permitted for a period of time to work remotely due to COVID, the court may not see it the same way and view a return-to-work mandate as being a reasonable step for an employer to take. Either way, an employer should provide reasonable notice of a return-to-work mandate. For a 37 year employee like Nickles, three months simply did not fit the bill. Have a workplace problem? Maybe I can help! Email me at and your question may be featured in a future column. The content of this article is general information only and is not legal advice.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hampton High School yard sale still happening despite location change
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Hampton High School seniors had their final year disrupted by Hurricane Helene, and now the community is coming together to provide these students with a memorable prom. The yard sale at Hampton High School is an annual tradition, but this year it looks different. 'This year is going to go for prom expenses,' senior Dru Nickles said. 'Just kind of all of the expenses for senior year. And especially with our situation, we could really use some extra money.' Johnson City Commission approves $250k for Tri-Cities Airport expansion Hurricane Helene severely impacted the school and forced its relocation. This move left students feeling uncertain about their future. 'Not knowing what was going to happen for so long, it was different,' Senior Tori Casbeer said. 'It was a hard thing to hear when the school, we couldn't go back and everything.' The school took over the former Keenburg Elementary School building, which is smaller than the former high school. Both Casbeer and Nickles said the community has stepped up to help make the process easier for the students. 'So normally, we start getting donations like a month before and we just store it in like closets and everywhere we can,' Casbeer said. 'But we really don't have the space for any of that. So I think the earliest donation we got was like a week before the yard sale. So the community is really helping with bringing everything in a reasonable time. A lot of donations have been made today so that we have time to set everything up and we don't have to worry about storage.' 'The community's just really come together to make everything easier on us during this hard time,' Nickles said. Nickles added that she hopes the yard sale will benefit not only their class but also future classes. 'Just us growing together and being closer together as a community,' Nickles said. 'The yard sale will help towards prom expenses, and hopefully the class next year because we don't even know if we're going to be back yet. So hopefully that'll help them next year with expenses on their part.' Any items left after the sale will be donated to organizations in need. The sale ran from 4-7:30 p.m. on Friday and will continue on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs basketball team will host a breakfast fundraiser at Keenburg on Saturday morning from 8-11 a.m. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the door. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
As Spring Season Starts, ThumbPRO Reminds of Proactive Hand Safety Measures
Concord, MA - March 14, 2025 - ThumbPRO®, a trusted thumb protector designed to safeguard all athletes, including youth athletes, from hand injuries caused by bat vibration, reminds parents, coaches, and youth baseball and softball players to prioritize proactive hand safety measures as the spring season commences. The company emphasizes that preventative steps are crucial to help avoid common hand injuries that can sideline athletes. Youth baseball and softball players are particularly susceptible to hand injuries during the spring season. The combination of increased practice intensity, the return to competitive play, and the developing nature of young athletes' hands creates a heightened risk from injury due to bat vibration. ThumbPRO®'s mission is to empower parents, coaches, and players with the knowledge and tools to protect against these injury risks. 'Spring training and the start of the season are exciting times, but it's crucial to remember that proactive protection is essential for every player and every player should have access to safety gear at the plate,' says Nina Nickles, CEO of ThumbPRO®. 'Hand injuries can sideline all baseball and softball players, including young athletes. For youth athletes, in particular, these types of hand injuries can disrupt their development, along with their confidence at the plate and their passion for the game. By incorporating preventative measures, such as using ThumbPRO®'s protective thumb guards, players can confidently step up to the plate.' ThumbPRO®'s thumb protectors are designed to mitigate bat sting, help prevent common hand injuries, and enhance grip, providing crucial protection without hindering performance. The ergonomic design ensures comfort and stability, allowing players to focus on their game. Key Points for Proactive Hand Safety: Consistent Use of Protective Gear: ThumbPRO® recommends consistently using protective thumb guards during practices and games to help reduce the risk of impact injuries. Proper Warm-Up and Stretching: Emphasizing the importance of thorough warm-ups and stretching to prepare hands and wrists for physical activity. Awareness and Technique: Educating young athletes on proper batting techniques to minimize the risk of hand injuries from bat vibration and impact. Early Intervention: Encourage parents and coaches to address any signs of hand discomfort or injury promptly. 'By prioritizing hand safety, we help ensure all athletes, including young athletes, enjoy a successful and injury-free season while at bat,' Nickles adds. 'ThumbPRO® is committed to providing reliable protective gear and promoting a safety-first mindset.' To support proactive hand safety, ThumbPRO® is offering special spring-season promotions, including bundle discounts and free US shipping on select orders. Visit to learn more. About ThumbPRO® ThumbPRO® is a USA based company dedicated to the safety and well-being of all baseball and softball players, including youth athletes. The company designs its thumb protectors to help prevent bat sting and to help avoid common hand injuries. As a family-owned enterprise, ThumbPRO® prioritizes player safety by producing high-quality, comfortable, protective equipment trusted by the pros as well as parents, coaches, and athletes at all levels of play. From youth players to professionals, injury prevention remains critical for sustained participation in the game. ThumbPRO® thumb protectors enhances player safety by helping to reduce the risk of hand injuries caused by sustained bat vibration. As sports protective equipment continues to evolve, ThumbPRO® stands for and with all players — regardless of age or level—to have equal access to safety gear that helps them remain safe, enabling them to perform at their very best with confidence at the plate season after season. Media Contact
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New York Magazine partnered with anti-psychedelics activists on MDMA series
In 2022, New York Magazine produced a podcast about the dangers of MDMA-assisted treatment for people dealing with post-traumatic stress, along with two leaders of an activist group dedicated to stopping the practice from becoming legal in the US. Now, the group is coming under greater scrutiny for its at times aggressive tactics, putting a spotlight on why the activist duo had editorial control over a major publication's podcast. Last week, The New York Times published a story about how Psymposia successfully helped derail an effort last year to convince the Food and Drug Administration to approve MDMA-assisted treatment for people dealing with post-traumatic stress. The story noted that two of the former primary figures in the group, David Nickles and Lily Kay Ross, had long been engaged in efforts to stop psychedelic therapy, including by exaggerating its risks, and tamp down criticism of their own group and its tactics. In a since-deleted 2018 post, Nickles 'outlined strategies for damaging psychedelic companies and nonprofits through persistent, critical media coverage and sabotaging 'business operations in ways designed to raise the costs of operating.'' In 2022, New York produced Cover Story, a limited series podcast, whose first season was about the dark side of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The show quoted Ross heavily as a source. But in an unusual arrangement, it also made her and Nickels co-producers on the show. (Psymposia said on its website that the group itself was a co-producer.) In a statement, a Vox Media spokesperson told Semafor that although they were producers on the show, Ross and Nickles were two members of a larger production team that included others with editorial oversight. 'New York Magazine retained full editorial control of the podcast, which was rigorously reported and thoroughly fact-checked, and raised important questions about the psychedelic renaissance that warranted deeper exploration,' the spokesperson said. In a statement to Semafor, Ross and Nickles said the New York podcast clearly explains how they are situated, and the accompanying articles for New York show the depth of their research and investigations into the world of psychedelic therapy. 'The New York Times article contains numerous inaccuracies and misleading assertions which we are working to get the paper to correct,' they wrote, disputing some parts of the Times' timeline. The Times also separately singled out Vox for repeating an explosive accusation that one of the therapists who took part in clinical psychedelic therapy trials, Veronika Gold, had admitted in her book to pinning down a screaming patient. The paper reported that the incident was actually much more complicated than it has been presented in the media, including a 2024 Vox article. Following Semafor's inquiry, a Vox Media spokesperson said the story had been updated and corrected to reflect that the drug used in the session was ketamine, not MDMA, and updated to include more context from Gold's account of the therapy session at the center of the allegation. The Times has done significant reporting on psychedelic therapy recently, rolling out a long feature late last year about veterans seeking out treatment in Mexico. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to run the Food and Drug Administration, has expressed openness to expanding access to psychedelics if he's confirmed, a prospect that excites advocates.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Family members of missing Johnson City woman plead for answers
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Cayla Nickles has been missing since Jan. 23 when she left her home on Cash Hollow Road in Johnson City. Since then, Washington County, Tennessee Sheriff deputies and family members have been searching for her. Lt. Wes McKinney with the Washington County Sherriff's Office (WCSO) said Nickles was reported missing in the early morning hours of Jan. 23. PREVIOUS: WCSO: Missing Johnson City woman last seen in January 'She walked outside,' McKinney said. 'It was the coldest night of the winter. She was seen by a roommate walking outside. When she did return, they went out to check on her and couldn't find her. After searching for a couple of hours, they called 911 and reported her missing.' McKinney said they've had no viable leads and are concerned for her safety. 'When she left, she left her phone. She didn't take anything with her. No form of communication, no form of currency. Basically, she left completely empty handed and nobody's had any contact with her since she left. That's the reason for our concern.' The WCSO has done multiple grid searches around the Cash Hollow Road area. They've utilized drones and canines in the searches as well. McKinney said they've checked Nickles' frequented locations and her friends' homes but all have led to a dead end. 'Our hope is that she did get into a vehicle with someone or that she did go to someone's home. But at this point, we have no evidence to support that. As cold as it was that night, obviously our fear is that being out in the elements could be dangerous to her.' McKinney told News Channel 11 that they don't have any evidence that Nickles has tried to use any bank accounts or form of payments since being missing. 'On the daily, we are constantly following up with her friends, checking for any tips via social media or internet website. For the last couple of weeks, since she's been missing, we've pretty much had an investigator at the home where she went missing every day just to check because it is a large area. There's a large wooded area there.' Beth Necessary is like a mom to Nickles. She and other family members have been searching several areas. 'The Washington County Sheriff's Office, they've done a tremendous job,' Necessary said. 'They've had drones, dogs. It's either them or me. One of us is there before the other. The walking you know, the looking. I don't understand. I just want her to come home.' Necessary said it's very unlike Nickles to leave with no contact. Nickles has two sons, one is only 9 years old. 'I don't see her going anywhere without her son,' Necessary said. 'I mean, he is her heart. I just don't understand what's going on. I don't know where she's at.' The last time Necessary and other family members heard from Nickles was on a FaceTime call before her disappearance. Nickles' sisters remember talking to her. 'She seemed okay,' Tatiyona Necessary, Nickles' sister, said. 'Like she seemed like she was getting better. I enjoyed talking to her that day.' 'We miss her. We really, really hope that she is safe. She has impacted our family a lot, and we really do just genuinely want her home,' Tatiyona Necessary said. Margaret Nickles has helped her mother search for her sister in both the Cash Hollow Rd. area and the Cherokee area in Johnson City. 'We just want to know she's okay; we just want her to come back to her son,' Margaret Nickles said. Jeremiah Keplinger, Nickles' 9-year-old son, misses his mom and hopes she returns safely home. 'When I heard of it, I just started crying,' Keplinger said. 'Like, a few days later after that, Todd died, my uncle.' 'I was like, she might be in the forest because the forest is nearby with all the trees and stuff. I don't really know that much more. I know people have been looking for her, they've had hound dogs and German Shepherd's and the cops are looking for her and she must be in a good hiding spot because nobody's found her.' Keplinger wants his mom to know that he needs her. 'Please come back to Joe Joe. I will call you more often and a lot a lot more.' Nickles' mom agrees. 'I have her son and he cries at night,' Beth Necessary said. 'He's acting out in school, you know, he just wants his mom as well as I want my daughter back. I mean, if anybody, any I don't care where, what time. If anybody sees her, just contact me or contact the Washington County Sheriff's [Office] and I'll be there. I don't care what time it is, what day, it doesn't matter. I will be there.' 'My gut feeling does tell me that some of her friends do know where she's at, to just let us know she's okay. I mean, we've put in time out here. Washington County Sheriff's [Office] is putting time. If they know where she's at, just let us know. Let us know that she's okay. Let us know that she's alive. You know, give us hope for her son.' Mckinney said to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 423-788-1414 if you have any tips about Cayla Nickles. You can also submit tips on their Facebook page and website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
