From time-to-time, I meet (read: they got in trouble or were about to) a new client from out of state that has an issue in Minnesota arise – not because of any willful or intentional wrongdoing, but just because they don’t realize some unique aspects of Minnesota law. So, for those non-Minnesota based Minnesota employers,
Commercial Motor Vehicle Hours of Service Rule Amended
Just a quick update (as I recognize this likely doesn’t affect many reading this blog) – on May 14, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a final rule that updates the hours of service rules. However, the amendment neither increases driving time, nor the requirement that a 30-minute break be taken within eight
Employer Obligations Under the Federal Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act or FFCRA) into law which, among other things, amends the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) with the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA). Here is what employers need to know about Public Health Emergency Leave (“PHEL”):
- Employees
Employer Obligations Under the Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act
In addition to my blog about the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act or FFCRA) also contains the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA). Emergency paid sick time (EPST) will go into effect 15 days after the Families Act is enacted – April 1,
Minimum Wage Increases: Don’t Forget to Change Payroll Settings for Minimum Wage for Travel Time and Other Activities!
I greatly suspect that everyone reading my blog is aware by now that Minnesota’s minimum wage increased January 1, 2020 ($10 for large employers; $8.15 small employers). However, for those employers who use minimum wage for certain activities (i.e. travel time) – be sure to change that rate in your payroll system as well! Also,
Minneapolis Considering Freelance Worker Protection Ordinance As Companion to Its Wage Theft Ordinance
On September 12, 2019, three City of Minneapolis Council members shared a draft ordinance, the Minneapolis Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance. As it is just in the draft stages, I won’t go into great detail here, but to point it out. For those Minnesota employers who rely on independent contractors – the development of this
Minneapolis Proposes Its Own Wage Theft Ordinance
Not to be outdone by the State of Minnesota’s Wage Theft Law, the City of Minneapolis is proposing its own wage theft ordinance, which “compliments” its Minimum Wage and Sick and Safe Time ordinances. The new wage theft ordinance would allow the City to investigate wage theft complaints on its turf. On July 29,
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
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
DOL Issues Opinion Letter Regarding Payment of Travel Time for Non-Exempt (Hourly) Employees
In one of two DOL Opinion Letters issued on April 12, 2018, the DOL clarified an extremely frequent question employers have – when to pay a non-exempt (hourly) employee for travel time (and gave me a great excuse to finally post a picture of a Jeep!). In other words, when is travel time “work”. DOL