Tag: DOL

Arbitration: Mandatory Arbitration OK for Wrongful Termination Claims–but Only if Agreement Is Fair; Make Sure Your Agreements Will Hold Up in Court

The California Supreme Court has decided that its landmark ruling in 2000 that required mandatory arbitration agreements to contain certain fairness protections for employees isn’t just limited to discrimination and harassment claims. We’ll explain the court’s new opinion.

E-Alert Item: Exempt Employees: Government Proposes New Rules for Determining Who’s Exempt from Overtime

For the first time in over 25 years, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued proposed rules overhauling the system for determining which employees are exempt from overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The proposed rules change the types of job duties workers must perform to qualify for exemption from overtime as well […]

E-Alert Item: DOL Says Insurance Adjusters Not Entitled to Overtime Pay

The federal Department of Labor has said in a recent opinion letter, which was issued in response to an insurance industry group’s inquiry, that adjusters qualify for the administrative exemption from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The opinion reaffirms the DOL’s position on this issue, and was based on the DOL’s review of […]

News Notes: Free ADA And Workplace Drug Program Compliance Materials

If your website doesn’t include reader friendly alternatives for people with disabilities, such as sight impairments, you might be violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Center for Applied Special Technology offers a free tool at that employers can use to test whether their web pages are accessible to disabled individuals. Also, the federal Department of Labor […]

News Notes: Free Posters Available On New Labor Department Web Page

The federal Department of Labor has launched a new Web page to help employers comply with posting requirements for a number of federal laws. By answering a series of questions, you can determine which federal posters you must display and then print them directly from the Internet. The Web page also lists who to contact […]

News Note: Government Increases Cost Estimate For Use Of Unemployment Insurance Funds For Family Leave

The federal Department of Labor has increased its projections of the cost of allowing states to pay unemployment insurance benefits to employees out on family leave. Original estimates were as high as $68 million based on the four to six states that initially expressed interest. But now the agency says that the new program could […]

News Flash: Federal Contractors Pay Out Record Discrimination Penalties

According to a new U.S. Department of Labor report, thegovernment collected a record $41 million from federal contractors last year for victims of discrimination. This was up from just over $35 million in 1998. The report also discloses the DOL’s plans to increase the number of government contractors in compliance with equal employment opportunity laws […]

News Notes: Latest Developments In Stock Option Controversy

In the February issue of CEA, we reported on a controversial U.S. Department of Labor advisory opinion that said you might have to include stock option profits in an hourly worker’s base pay and retroactively recalculate overtime figured on the new pay rate. The ruling has come under fire not just from employers, but also […]