Wages & Hours

Labor crunch: Lure applicants with higher pay

05/27/2021

The post-pandemic economy is showing signs of a solid recovery. Businesses that sell goods and services are gearing up to satisfy pent-up demand. But first they need to hire staff, and that is proving to be a challenge, even as the unemployment rate continued to hover around 6.1% in April.

Employment law changes: What to expect into 2022

05/26/2021

Paid sick leave—an issue supported by President Biden and gaining steam in state legislatures—is the top legislative issue that employers expect to impact their businesses over the next 12 months, according to a new Littler survey of 1,100 HR professionals and in-house attorneys.

$150M reminder: Beware ‘predictive scheduling’ laws

05/21/2021

A growing number of states and cities (including Oregon, New York City and Chicago) have new laws requiring employers to give workers advance notice of their upcoming schedules and any changes.

Pay equity group alleges tip credit perpetuates racism

05/06/2021

Many tipped workers wind up earning far more than the $7.25 minimum when tippers are generous. But some patrons are cheapskates (or worse) who may tip far less because they harbor racist views. That problem is the basis of a recent lawsuit.

Parts of new tip rule delayed

05/04/2021

Now delayed until at least Dec. 31 are provisions related to assessing monetary penalties against employers that violate rules for paying a tip credit to tipped workers.

Minimum wage for fed contractor employees going up to $15 per hour

04/29/2021

President Biden signed an executive order April 27 raising the minimum wage federal contractors must pay employees to $15 per hour, starting next year.

Snapshot: Most Americans favor $15 minimum wage

04/27/2021

Even 71% of those who oppose a $15-per-hour minimum wage are in favor of raising it to some lesser amount.

Your vaccination decisions: 5 key issues to consider

04/15/2021

You should absolutely formalize your decisions in a written vaccination policy that you provide to each employee, so that everyone is on the same page as to your requirements and expectations. Here are the five key considerations that should be front of mind.

Pay employees for pre-shift COVID screening

04/15/2021

To decide if you must pay employees for their pre- or post-work activities—such as putting on uniforms, waiting in a time-clock line, etc.—take a look at the Fair Labor Standards Act. The main issue is whether the pre- or post-activity is “integral” and “indispensable” to the employee’s principal activity.

It’s time to scrap pay-secrecy policies

04/01/2021

Traditionally, employers have tried to keep a lid on compensation-related discord by asking employees not to discuss pay. To some extent, that’s just the way it’s always been. But today, no-talk-about-pay rules are under legal assault, challenged for violating the law and helping perpetuate income inequality.