PUMP Act: Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers in Omnibus Spending Bill
The recently enacted Consolidation Appropriations Act of 2023 (H.R. 2617) included two provisions for pregnant and nursing mothers.
Tag: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Employees Say They Should Be Paid for Computer Boot Up and Shutdown Time
Ever heard of a “soft phone?” It allows phone calls to be received through a computer. There’s no additional hardware, other than the computer running the program, needed to accept a call. Call centers use this technology. Just one question: Should an employer pay its employees for the time it takes to boot up their […]
New Year’s Resolutions Every Employer Should Make
As the new calendar year begins, many organizations are wisely asking, “What can we do to protect our business assets from an employment law perspective?” This is a great question, and the beginning of the year is the perfect time to take stock of existing policies and their effectiveness, review recent changes to applicable laws, […]
Employees Say They Should Be Paid for Time-Consuming Prework Preparations
For some employees, getting their work computer up, running, and ready to perform each day is a complicated and time-consuming process. When should an employer pay for that daily process?
Case Study: Employer’s Aggressive Tactics Allow Court to Deny Enforcement of Noncompete
Massachusetts enacted significant noncompete reform in 2018. Under Massachusetts law, noncompete agreements entered after October 1, 2018, can only be used and enforced if they comply with the standards of the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (MNAA).
DOL Actions Highlight 3 Crucial Child Labor Protections Categories
With labor shortages leaving fast food and other minimum-wage work environments short-staffed, many businesses are relying on teenage employees to fill the void. But employers must be aware of applicable child labor laws, which aim to protect minors’ health and safety and to avoid interfering with their education. Employers should keep in mind three major […]
Know Your Obligations to Employees on Military Leave
Most HR professionals are aware that under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and similar state laws, they have to provide military leave for employees with military service obligations, such as those who serve in the National Guard and military reserves, and reemploy them when the duty is over. What often isn’t […]
Determining Independent Contractors: Sometimes the Government Loses
There’s been an ongoing battle between employers and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) over when someone is considered an independent contractor versus an employee. A recent decision from the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse summary judgment (dismissal without trial) in favor of the DOL gives employers some guidance and reason for […]
Don’t Wait Too Late to Arbitrate, Warns Supreme Court
The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) favors the enforcement of arbitration agreements, but employers can’t wait too long to compel arbitration. Courts often apply a contract “waiver” rule if employers sit on their rights too long (meaning the court finds a party waived its right to arbitrate if it failed to start the process soon enough). […]
DOL Guidance Spotlights FLSA, FMLA, and Visa Program Retaliation
On March 10, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued guidance on forms of prohibited retaliation under various laws the agency enforces, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), immigration visa programs, and other laws and executive orders. The new guidance suggests […]