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Wages & Hours

Subminimum wage reinstated

07/14/2025
The DOL announced on July 7 that it was withdrawing a proposed rule allowing some employers to pay workers a subminimum wage.

OBBBA may trigger overtime requests

07/14/2025
Already, news stories and social media posts are circulating suggesting ways for employees to take advantage of new tax savings even if they don’t currently earn overtime “required under the FLSA.” Because the tax shelter is immediately effective, expect employees to ask HR for ways to take advantage of the savings.

Trump DOL won’t charge double if you fix wage mistakes

07/07/2025
New DOL guidance tells investigators not to assess liquidated damages if the employer agrees to pay what it owes employees in back pay because of a mistake. That’s great news because it keeps the employer from having to pay double the amount otherwise due.

Rethinking pay in 2025: How HR can help repair employee trust

06/23/2025
BambooHR’s 2025 Compensation Trends Report reveals that satisfaction with pay is steadily declining, particularly among women and younger workers, while perceptions of transparency and equity are eroding. HR professionals have a unique opportunity to respond with compensation strategies that are both data-driven and employee-focused.

When interpreting what the law requires, pay attention to what the law actually says

05/30/2025
Increasingly, U.S. Supreme Court decisions turn on the exact language Congress chose to use when writing laws. The justices often rely on the ordinary meaning of the words contained in legislation.

Competitive edge for small employers: Slightly higher pay

05/27/2025
The Mercer consulting firm’s latest pay survey shows that for the first time since the post-pandemic hiring boom, the rate of wage increases has slowed.

To preserve exempt status, pay employees on a weekly salary basis, not by the day

05/23/2025
The Supreme Court agreed with a highly compensated employee who argued that because he was paid a daily rate, he wasn’t being paid on a salary basis. Now a federal appeals court has applied that logic to another employer.

Bill would cut federal income tax on overtime wages

05/19/2025
Republican legislators in the House of Representatives and Senate have introduced the Overtime Wages Tax Relief Act, which would allow employees to deduct up to $10,000 in overtime pay from their federal income taxes.

Beware unintended consequences of sharing pay info

05/09/2025
It’s increasingly difficult for employers to keep employees from finding out how much their co-workers are paid. However, a new study shows the unintended consequences when employers tell employees where they stand on pay.

Great expectations: Class of ‘25 soon to confront a real pay gap

05/05/2025
A ZipRecruiter survey of 3,000 soon-to-graduate students found that on average, they expected to command an annual pre-tax salary of $101,500. Needless to say, that’s wildly optimistic.