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
DOL Weighs In: Employee or Independent Contractor?
In the 6th letter of 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Opinion Letter FLSA2019-6, which analyzes whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. While opinion letters are specific to the employer that has sought the letter, they provide useful insight for all employers. In this opinion letter, the DOL states
DOL Issues Proposed Rule Clarifying “Joint Employer” Under Four Part Test
On April 1, 2019, the DOL issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), relating to whether two or more entities are “joint employers” for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This arrangement becomes significant when determining overtime for an individual who does not work overtime at either employer, but combined, does (and thus,
DOL Proposes Changes to the FLSA “Regular Rate” – Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Issued
On March 29, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed rules will clarify for employers what types of compensation must be included when determining an employee’s “regular rate” in order to determine the overtime rate. This is a conversation
Bill Introduced to Reduce Minnesota Overtime Requirement from 48 to 40 Hours
On March 7, 2019, HR 2274 was introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives that would very simply change the state overtime requirement from 48 hours to 40 – matching the federal FLSA. This bill would simply strike “48” from Minn. Stat. 177.25, and replace it with “40”. It has been referred to the Labor
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 Announces Proposed New Overtime Rules – $35,308 Will Be the New $23,660
The day we’ve all been waiting for has arrived! Perhaps not quite that exciting, but the U.S. Department of Labor has finally issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, its second attempt at updating the Fair Labor Standard’s Act’s (FLSA) so-called “white collar” exemptions for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees. As I’m sure
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
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
DOL Clarifies Factors When Determining Whether a Caregiver is a Employee of a Registry
On July 13, 2018, the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2018-4 providing guidance on when caregiver registries are an “employer” of caregivers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Rather than providing in home care services directly, registries provide individuals, such as seniors and those with disabilities,