Tag: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

money in briefcase

Ask the Expert: Can Employees Be Held Legally Accountable for Paying Overpaid Wages Back?

Question: Is there a statute of limitations regarding when employers must inform employees of an overpayment of wages, and can employees be held legally accountable for paying the overpayment back? Answer: The Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn’t address how long an employer has to recover overpaid wages. In the absence of federal law, state […]

When Using AI at Work, Be Sure to Avoid Wage and Hour Claims

Employers are looking to save time and money and are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to make employment practices more efficient. In early 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance to help employers navigate the use of AI. The takeaway is that eliminating humans from critical employment processes could result in a violation […]

Know When a New Hire’s Work Is Considered Compensable Under FLSA

Hiring a new employee takes time—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date, as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training. But how much of that time is considered compensable under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? Orientation and Onboarding The FLSA generally counts a new hire’s time spent in orientation […]

U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Key Exemption Issue

On June 14, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide an important Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) question—namely, whether an employer claiming an exemption from overtime needs to prove it by “clear and convincing” evidence (a very high standard) or by a preponderance of the evidence (a lower, easier standard to meet). The decision is […]

Ask the Expert: How Do Employers Navigate FLSA Onboarding Requirements?

Question: What is considered compensable time during the onboarding process under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training? Answer: Employee onboarding involves incorporating new employees into the organization by providing necessary knowledge and skills to succeed. As […]

Ask the Expert: What Time Is Considered Compensable?

Question: What’s considered compensable time during the onboarding process under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date, as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training? Answer: Under the FLSA, employees must be compensated for all working time. Even if the employer didn’t specifically request that […]

Employers Take Note—Child Labor Violations Continue to Be Major DOL Focus

Earlier this year the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released statistics on its child labor enforcement activity for 2023. Astonishingly, WHD found an 88% increase since 2019 in the unlawful employment of minors. As we head into the summer months when many employers hire minors, companies should be mindful of the Fair Labor […]

Millions More U.S. Workers Eligible for Overtime Under Final DOL Rule

Over the past seven years, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has attempted to increase the number of exempt employees who are eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). On April 23, 2024, the DOL announced a final rule regarding the salary threshold required to exempt a salaried executive, administrative, or professional […]

Are College Degrees Losing Their Luster? Some Employers Think So

A recent survey of U.S. employers found that 45% plan to cut out their bachelor’s degree requirements for some positions during 2024. That survey also found 55% of companies had removed degree requirements during 2023. Another telling statistic: Four in five of the employers surveyed said they value experience over education when they evaluate candidates […]

Ask the Expert: Clear, Consistent Paid-Time-Off Policies Are Vital

Question: An employee worked his entire 40 hours by Wednesday and has requested paid time off (PTO) for Thursday and Friday, bringing the week’s total hours worked to 56. Are we required to pay him for the additional requested time, considering he had already worked his 40 hours and our handbook says PTO is to […]