Tag: Independent Contractors

EEOC announces new strategic enforcement priorities

by Leslie E. Silverman The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) broke new ground in late 2012 with the release of its first Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) publicly identifying its top enforcement priorities. Since that time, the EEOC’s enforcement and litigation program has largely focused on the priority areas laid out in the SEP:  Eliminating barriers […]

FLSA: Exotic Dancers Are Employees, Not Independent Contractors

By Kevin C. McCormick The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit—which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia—recently held that a group of exotic dancers are employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), not independent contractors. Consequently, the dancers are entitled to minimum wage for all hours they work […]

Illinois Court Finds Chicago Eatery’s FLSA Claims Unappetizing

By Steven L. Brenneman, Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP Does your organization use independent contractors or other workers labeled “owners” or “partners” who aren’t considered employees? If so, a recent decision by a federal court judge in Chicago that shows the danger in misclassifying employees may give you indigestion.

New Arizona law allows independent contractors to declare their status

by Dinita L. James Gonzalez Law, LLC A new Arizona law going into effect on August 6 will allow independent contractors to provide a declaration of their independence to businesses using their services. The law provides a form called a declaration of independent business status (DIBS) to help determine whether a worker should be classified […]

Uber settlement keeps independent contractor business model

Drivers for ride-hailing giant Uber will continue to be independent contractors under the terms of a settlement of class-action lawsuits in California and Massachusetts if the settlement receives court approval. The settlement, announced on April 21, will require the company to pay drivers an initial $84 million and possibly as much as $100 million. Despite […]

Independent contractor model survives Lyft settlement

Lyft, a ride-hailing service that uses independent contractors as drivers, has agreed to settle a proposed class action lawsuit in California by paying $12.25 million and giving drivers certain protections, but the settlement doesn’t call on the company to reclassify its drivers as employees. The larger ride-hailing service Uber also is facing court action. The […]

Time for California employers to be ready for $10 minimum wage

by Elizabeth J. Boca The minimum wage in California will increase from $9 to $10 an hour as of January 1. Employers must understand that paying the higher minimum wage alone doesn’t satisfy their obligations because the upcoming increase will spark a domino effect in various compliance areas.  Exempt “white-collar” employees. Each time the state […]