FLSA Changes Will Likely Be Impleted THIS FALL

The latest word from the Department of Labor (DOL) is that the long-discussed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — significantly increasing the salary basis threshold for most exemptions — will be finalized by July 2016.  The regulations will likely be effective 60 days later, or September 2016. What does this mean for employers?  It’s… More

DOL Independent Contractor Memo– Not News, Just a Reminder

DOL issued a 15-page memo last week about the potential misclassification of employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as independent contractors. The take-away: DOL thinks most independent contractors are misclassified and should be considered employees. This memo is nothing new—it is merely an articulation of current law. But it is a reminder (as… More

LinkedIn Pays $5+ Million in Overtime and Damages After DOL Investigation

LinkedIn, the popular social networking site for professionals, just paid $3+ million in overtime back wages and an additional $2+ million in liquidated damages to settle claims brought on behalf of former and current employees. The settlement marked the conclusion of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) into alleged (and apparently substantiated)… More

Wage Violations May Exclude You From Federal Government Contract Work

The New York Times just reported that President Obama will sign an Executive Order requiring companies to disclose recent wage and hour law violations (within the past three years), and will then encourage agencies not to contract with companies that violate these laws. This likely means that the online representations and certifications that contractors complete through… More

FRANCHISORS BEWARE: You May Be Liable for the Labor Misdeeds of your Franchisees

Yesterday, to the shock of McDonalds and all other franchising companies, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) dramatically revised its definition of a “joint employer” and determined that franchisors can be responsible for ensuring that the companies to whom they sell a franchise comply with all labor laws.  At issue were 43 different unfair labor… More

Harsh Liability Likely for Government Contractors that Violate the FLSA

A bill approved on July 10, 2014 by the House of Representatives includes an amendment that would prohibit all energy and water development agencies and other related agencies from working with contractors who have committed Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations within the past 5 years.  Under current law all government contractors can already be… More