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FLSA

Deducting leave for partial-day absences

02/01/2007

Q. Recently, we audited our jobs and determined that some employees were classified as hourly when they should be exempt. We reclassified them. But now, I have a question about handling time off for our newly exempt employees. By law, are we required to NOT charge an exempt person’s time if they’re out of the office for a half day? And if we do start charging an exempt person’s time (vacation or personal) if they miss an hour or two, are we setting ourselves up to be sued?

What are the costs for age-Discrimination sins?

02/01/2007

Q. If we’re sued for age discrimination, is the potential award limited to lost wages and benefits? Or can a court also award damages like pain and suffering? —D.B., Nebraska

Can we require salaried staff to make up lost time?

02/01/2007

Q. We’re a small company (fewer than 20 employees) and don’t keep time sheets. Our entire staff is salaried. We expect employees to make up personal time and sick time (neither of which affects their vacation time or holiday time). Are we wrong to expect that if a salaried employee takes two hours for a doctor’s appointment, he or she should make up that time later? —M.V., Florida

Deducting partial-day absence from leave bank is OK

02/01/2007

You may assume that employers must pay exempt employees their entire salary even if they arrive late and leave early. Well, that’s only partially true …

How to comply with Georgia’s child-labor laws

02/01/2007

Georgia has special child-labor laws that can trip you up if you’re not careful. With federal child-labor laws to consider as well, Georgia employers must navigate a tangled web of regulations when employing young workers …

If you benefit from volunteer labor, prepare to pay for it

02/01/2007

Nonprofits and employers in highly competitive fields often use volunteers to ease labor budgets and try out employees “before they buy.” But unless you structure those situations just right, you’re likely to run afoul of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Minimum Wage Act …

North Carolina Minimum Wage Law

02/01/2007

North Carolina’s minimum wage is $6.15 per hour, compared to the current federal minimum wage of $5.85 per hour. However, barring action by the state legislature, the federal minimum wage will overtake North Carolina’s minimum wage next year …

North Carolina Child Labor Law

02/01/2007

Generally, in North Carolina children under 18 years of age may not work between 11 pm and 5 am on nights prior to a school day. However, youth ages 16 and older can work during those hours provided they have written permission from their parent/guardian and the school principal …

Indiana Minimum Wage Law

02/01/2007

In conjunction with the recent increase in the federal minimum wage, Indiana hiked its minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour (effective July 24, 2007). Over the next two years, the state minimum wage will increase (along with the federal minimum wage) by 70 cents per hour in two phases …

Indiana Child Labor Law

02/01/2007

Indiana’s child labor regulations generally follow federal law but have some interesting twists that can trip up employers. Minors are prohibited from working in any hazardous occupation designated by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Children ages 14 and older must obtain a work permit signed by their parent or guardian and approved by their school. Employers hiring minors must insist on verifiable proof of age. You may not use the fact that a minor misrepresented his or her age as a defense …