Federal Judge Strikes Down DOL’s Overtime Rule
The federal minimum salary threshold for the Executive, Administrative, and Professional (EAP) exemption is once again $684 per week (annualized to $35,558) and $107,432 per year for Highly-Compensated employees after a federal court in Texas reversed the DOL’s increase announced earlier this year. While previous injunctions applied to specific plaintiffs, this ruling applies to all […]
DOL Exempt Minimum Salary – Now What?
While legal challenges have been requesting an injunction until the question whether the DOL has the right to increase the salary threshold is determined, no such injunction has been issued as of this writing. Therefore, all employers must prepare their response to the new rule which goes into effect July 1, 2024. In April 2024, […]
Changes As Your Company Grows
Congratulations!! Your company has grown, business is booming, and you have hired more employees to help you meet the new demand. Not every company is able to say they are having that success. Did you know… As you add employees, the number of employment regulations your company falls under changes as well. So, while you […]
Employment Trends & Challenges for the Year Ahead
A new year means new employment laws, trends, and challenges. Here are some of the important trends we are following as we enter 2024. General Trends Uncertainty With the volatile political climate heading into the 2024 presidential race, inconsistent predictions for the economy, and escalating incidents of violence, employees are facing new challenges at and […]
SICK EMPLOYEES
Question: A few of my employees have shown up for work sick. I appreciate their dedication, but I’d rather they not come to work when ill. Can I send them home and require that they use their sick leave? Answer: Yes, you can. Recognize that there may be reasons why employees are showing up sick that might include: […]
EMPLOYEE GIFTS
Question: With rising costs, I want to give my employees a gift card to reward them for their hard work. What should I consider? Answer: Acknowledging an employee’s contribution to the company is almost always a good thing. Making the effort to recognize an employee’s hard work helps to reinforce their commitment to the company. When […]
NON-EXEMPT HOLIDAY PAY
Question: Do I have to pay non-exempt employees for a holiday if we are closed? Or a special rate If they work? Answer: Probably not. There is no federal law to pay non-exempt employees for holidays if they do not work or to pay a premium rate if they do work. Massachusetts and Rhode Island […]
4 Real Life HR Lessons to Learn From
The workplace has its fair share of scary stories. By bringing them to light, we hope they can become important lessons on what to do and not do. Unwelcomed birthday party cost employer $450,000: Knowing that the company celebrates employee birthdays, an employee asked the office manager to not throw him a party. However, the […]
White Paper: OSHA Vaccine Mandate
Notice On November 6, 2021, the 5th US Court of Appeals issued an injunction based on a legal challenge filed in its courts. On November 12, 2021, the 5th Circuit ruled that this injunction applies country-wide and has ordered OSHA to “take no steps to implement or enforce…until further court order.” Therefore, OSHA has currently […]
Religious Exemption to Vaccine
Q: Our company is requiring all employees to get vaccinated for COVID. We received a request for an exemption to the vaccination requirement on the basis of a sincerely-held religious belief. Can we require some form of documentation or verification? A: Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employees cannot be required to get […]
