Except or Non-Exempt? That is the question (which should not be answered by eenie-meenie-miney-mo)! The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued its Final Rule today (September 24, 2019) regarding the overtime exceptions under the so-called “white collar” exemptions. As you may recall, the DOL previously issued a final rule in May 2016, but that rule
Reminder! Minneapolis Minimum Wage Increases July 1, 2019
Employers (wherever located) with employees working in Minneapolis – don’t forget that the minimum wage increases today, July 1, 2019, to $11/hr for small businesses and $12.25 for large businesses.
Quick Facts – Reminders:
- Small business = 100 or fewer employees.
- Large business = more than 100 employees.
- An “employee” is someone who works at
MNDOLI Reminds Employers Yet Again To Follow Wage & Hour Laws
Today the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MNDOLI) issued employers yet another reminder not to engage in “wage theft” from employees, and encouraged subscribers to share the message. So, I’ll do my civic duty and share. In short, MNDOLI reminds employers of the following (with my comments below each point):
- Pay your employees the
DOL Amends Field Operations Handbook for Dual-Job Tipped Employees
Given this is a wage and hour blog, I feel compelled to address the changes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) made on February 15, 2019, to its Field Operations Handbook (FOH). Specifically, following up to Opinion Letter FLSAS2018-27, (as I wrote about here), 30d00(f) was amended as noted in Field Assistance Bulletin
DOL Issues Opinion Letter Regarding Varying Average Hourly Rates for In-Home Heath Care Service Providers
Admittedly, I’m a little late blogging about this one…not sure how it escaped me. It is slightly old news, but important for home health care providers or other employers who use varying average hourly rates. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued an opinion letter on December 21, 2018 regarding the determination of minimum wage and
Wage and Hour Preparations for the New Year
As 2018 comes to a close, it is a great time for employers to address lingering issues that have been on the back burner and start “fresh” in the new year. A new year is a great time to roll out changes for both administration purposes and for employees; new year, new policies. Here are
Holiday Pay Considerations – Overtime and More
With Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas right around the corner, employees start to question holiday time off and pay (or lack thereof). In Minnesota, there is no requirement that employers provide certain days off, with or without pay. Accordingly, employers just need to follow their policy (best practices – have it written), whatever it is. If
St. Paul Enacts $15 Minimum Wage Ordinance
On November 14, 2018, the St. Paul City Council passed an ordinance implementing a minimum wage of $15 for employees who work within the geographic boundaries of St. Paul. Employees based outside of St. Paul, but who occasionally perform work in St. Paul, are also covered if, “over the course of one week [the employee]
DOL Re-Issues Opinion Letter Regarding Tip Credit for Tipped Employees
The U.S. Department of Labor issued several opinion letters on November 8, 2018. One of those, Opinion Letter FLSA2018-27, reproduces verbatim the text of Opinion Letter FLSA2009-23, which was (one of many) withdrawn by the Obama Administration “for further consideration”. This Opinion Letter clarifies the definition of a “tipped employee” for purposes of the
8th Cir. Court of Appeals: Untaxed Mileage Payments Made Under An IRS Accountable Plan May Be Wages for Purposes of the FLSA
On November 14, 2018, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held in Baouch v. Werner Enterprises, Inc. that per diem travel payments made to truck drivers driving away from home at night as reimbursement for travel expenses are “wages,” even though not taxed as part of an “accountable plan” under Treas. Reg. §1.62-2(c)(2). To