Rules & regulations
Vote, Vote, Vote!
Do employers have to allow employees time off to vote? Maybe. The rules are set by each individual state.
You’re Required to Post Them, But Not to Buy Them
You do have to display wage and hour compliance and overtime regulation posters, but you don’t have to buy them. Find out what happened to an unscrupulous company that tried to con businesses into paying for posters available free online.
When Is an Intern an Intern?
Some businesses look on summer interns as a source of free labor. But that might not be so smart — the feds and many states tightly regulate the types of things you can have your interns do without running afoul of wage and hour laws.
Interstate Motor Carriers and Overtime
In 2005, the definition of “motor carrier” was amended to exclude operators of vehicles under 10,000 pounds — potentially leaving some employers open to wage and hour claims for overtime when they were previously exempt. As of 2008, that’s been fixed.
July 13 - T-Day in Massachusetts
After July 13, Massachusetts employers are liable for mandatory triple damages for wage and hour violations. Are you ready?
House Republican Introduces Comp Time Bill
Did you know it’s against the law for you to give your employees comp time off instead of cash when they work overtime? A new bill recently introduced in the US House would allow employers to grant employees comp time in lieu of cash payments for overtime worked. Read the article to find out more.
Triple Damages Now the Law in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a new law, mandating triple damages when companies lose wage and hour lawsuits. Good idea? Bad idea? What do you think?
Servers Can Now Waive Meal Breaks in Oregon
In an interesting development, tipped servers and wait staff in Oregon are now allowed to waive meal breaks under certain conditions. Why would employees want to do this? Turns out, there may be good reasons.
The DOL Wants Your Feedback
Got some ideas about what the regulations associated with the new military family leave should be? The DOL wants to hear from you — but only until April 11, 2008. So speak up now!
More News on the Independent Contractor Front
Recently, both Michigan and Iowa have taken steps to address the issue of unscrupulous companies classifying employees as “independent contractors” in order to get out of paying overtime. Read on to see what they did, and what it might mean for you.
