Tag: wages

A Wage/Hour Story Told in Million-Dollar Lawsuits

Wage and hour cases often seem piddling—what are a few hours of overtime here and there? But add in other class members (hundreds, thousands?), years (2 or 3?), and damages, and there’s quite a tidy sum you might owe. Here are several recent cases, each with something to teach about managing wage and hour difficulties. […]

Wal-Mart Faces Class of 1.5 Million; Your Suit Won’t Be That Big

Wal-Mart is poised to defend against a wage-related suit that could have as many as 1.5 million class members. Your suit won’t be as big, but do you think it’s a good reminder to review your exempt/nonexempt classifications? Here, from BLR’s experts, are explanations of many of the trickiest classification questions: Executive Secretary An executive […]

Next Million-Dollar Wage and Hour Lawsuit—Yours?

Just about every day, it seems DOL wins or settles another expensive lawsuit based on the "simple" laws of wage and hour. Today’s Advisor features beyond-the-basics questions that are often asked of the BLR® experts. Q. Can we give an extra week of vacation to cover any overtime? A. Providing vacation rather than overtime is […]

Summer Hiring Season—Child Labor Myths Busted

In yesterday’s Advisor, we busted 11 myths about wage and hour. Today, we tackle myths about child labor—particularly appropriate with summer hiring season approaching—and we take a look at a unique FLSA audit guide. [Go here for Myths 1-11.] Myth #12—There is no restriction on hours of work for workers age 14 and over. Busted. […]

Wage and Hour Mythbusters

Wage and hour should be the easiest job in HR, but there are a surprising number of misconceptions, and there is a surprising amount of misinformation being disseminated by savvy-sounding "experts" wandering the Internet chat sites. Cruise HR on the Internet, and you’ll be stunned. Mixed in with accurate answers are other answers—all delivered with […]

Wage and Hour—No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

In yesterday’s Advisor, we featured lawsuit avoidance tips from Attorney William J. Anthony. Today, we’ll cover more of his wage and hour tips, and we’ll take a look at a unique one-stop solution for meeting HR challenges. Anthony made his remarks at a recent seminar sponsored by national law firm Jackson Lewis LLP, where he […]

70% Not in FLSA Compliance? ‘A Gross Understatement’

The feds estimate that 70 percent of employers are not in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). "That’s a gross understatement," says Attorney William J. Anthony. He suspects that it’s more like 95 percent that are not in compliance with either federal or state laws on wage and hour matters. "There are a […]

DOL, EEOC, and Your Employees’ Attorneys Are Reading This Report

A recently released report concludes that a stunning percentage of workers in this country are underpaid and otherwise mistreated at work. The surprisingly widespread incidence of violations suggests that they are probably happening to some extent in your workplace. It’s likely that these figures will spur government agencies (and plaintiffs’ attorneys) to an even higher […]

Feds Are Knocking—Are You Ready?

By Patricia M. Trainor, J.D.BLR Legal Editor In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Marc L. Jacuzzi pointed to the surge in wage and hour lawsuits and gave tips for preventive audits. Today, we’ll finish his tips and take a look at a unique HR audit system. Jacuzzi, a partner in the law firm of Simpson, Garrity, Innes, […]

FLSA Audit: 9 Compliance Tips and a Checklist

Why is now the time to conduct a wage and hour audit at your company? Because now is the time that you are going to get sued, warns attorney Marc L. Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi attributes the significant increase in Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) claims to the fact that so many people are out of work, […]