As we discussed in April, the Biden administration halted the implementation of some of the Trump administration’s changes to the rules on taking a tip credit for non-tipped work. For those that never have had a server job, employers who have tipped employees (waitstaff, bartenders, etc.) have the option to pay those type of
Here We Go Again? DOL Secretary Walsh Discusses Raising Overtime Exemption Salary Threshold
You may have missed it, but Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh perked up some ears last week when he discussed possibly raising the FLSA salary threshold for certain exempt employees. In testimony before a Congressional committee, Secretary Walsh stated that the current amount, $35,568, is “definitely” too low and hinted that his department may seek
Leggo My Eggo and Pass the Legal Advice! Come to Breakfast with Bradley on June 17
Employers across the country are curious how the labor and employment world may change under President Biden’s administration. March saw Marty Walsh, former mayor of Boston, confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Labor. What is his philosophy? The DOL postponed the effective date of a new Independent Contractor Rule. Will it ever go into effect?
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Ninth Circuit Finds Gender Discrimination in Retention Raise
An Equal Pay Act plaintiff must show that employees of the opposite sex were paid different wages for equal work. Pretty simple — right? However, there are many factors that go into deciding what is “equal work” or whether the difference in wages is really tied to sex. In Jennifer Joy Freyd vs. University
Don’t Let Your Employee’s “Unpaid” Meal Breaks Turn into a Costly Mistake for You
An unpaid meal break can become a very expensive lunch for an employer, but there are ways to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to try and minimize the risk.
Identifying the Potential Problem
The problem that results from unpaid meal breaks typically arises like this:
- Nonexempt employee clocks out for lunch, or
New Administration, New DOL Approach: Department Pulls Back Trump Rulemaking Limitations
With the new Biden administration now in place, the Department of Labor (DOL) has withdrawn a Trump era measure on guidance documents. Following a recent Executive Order, the DOL issued a final rule on January 27 to rescind the Trump DOL’s prior rule. The result will likely be less public involvement in DOL guidance.
Background
‘Tis the Season — Year-End Reminder of 2020’s FLSA Salary Threshold Increase and What You May Need to Check Now
Remember last January and the salary threshold change the Department of Labor rolled out for salaried exempt and highly compensated employees under the FLSA? As the end of the year approaches, you might need to revisit the DOL’s salary threshold increases that took effect January 1, 2020. In January, we anticipated that this would be
Prop 22 and Minimum Wage Hikes: What the Election Results Mean for Employers
In true 2020 style, this year’s general election was one for the history books. While the presidential race has been called in favor of President-Elect Joe Biden, the inevitable legal challenges are looming. Meanwhile, Georgia will be the site of two runoff elections in January – races that could decide which party controls the U.S.
Department of Labor Provides Easier, Breezier FMLA Electronic Notice Forms for Employers
In a shocking example of good news these days, the Wage and Hour Division has revised its optional forms that employers can use on various FMLA issues. The new forms can be filled out electronically and have cut down on the number of questions that require written responses. Instead, many categories can now be handled
There Is More to This than Meets the Eye: Why an Under-the-Radar DOL Wage and Hour Bulletin Is Good News for Employers
The U.S. Department of Labor issued a Field Assistance Bulletin on June 24, 2020, announcing that it will not routinely assess pre-litigation liquidated damages as part of the settlement process for claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Although this announcement has largely gone “under the radar,” it actually has historic significance. The bulletin is