A federal court entered a consent order against three Cowbell sports bars in Biddeford,Scarborough and Westbrook, ME, resolving a Department of Labor case alleging Fair LaborStandards Act (FLSA) violations involving minimum wage, overtime and child labor. FLSA Violations The Wage and Hour Division alleged the bars failed to pay some employees for all hoursworked, altered […]
HR leaders don’t have the luxury of rewriting their compliance strategy every four years. A recent Supreme Court ruling raises new questions about just how long today’s enforcement priorities will last. In Trump v. Slaughter, the Court concluded that federal agency leaders who exercise executive power can be removed by the President at will. Here’s […]
Summer has officially started, and for HR teams, the season has already marked one of the busiest compliance moments of the year. More than 75 workplace compliance changes took effect on or around July 1, including more than 20 minimum wage increases. These changes span leave and time off, child labor, payroll, unemployment benefits, hiring […]
Payroll teams that pay nonexempt workers nondiscretionary bonuses should confirm those amounts are included in the overtime regular rate. A recent DOL investigation found that a Tennessee contractor failed to do so, resulting in a payout of about $1.73 million in back wages for 1,666 hourly workers. Overtime Pay Miscalculation Leads to Seven-Figure Settlement The […]
When employers fail to honor wage and hour settlement agreements, the Department of Labor’s next step is to pursue a court order. In this recent incident, a Washington employer operating four restaurants allegedly backed out of a deal to settle up on back wages. According to an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division, Rancho […]
The debate around AI in hiring has grown louder and, in many ways, more confused. The cautions around AI are driving most of the conversation. What is getting drowned out are some serious considerations HR leaders actually need to hear, and that may even change their perspective. Bias in Hiring Did Not Start With AI […]
A California municipality has agreed to pay $93,000 to settle claims that it pulled a conditional job offer based on an applicant’s criminal history without conducting the individualized assessment required under the state’s Fair Chance Act (FCA). The settlement resolves allegations that the City of Signal Hill in Los Angeles County violated the FCA during […]
Does a quarterly bonus trigger an overtime recalculation? A recent DOL opinion letter says it depends on how the bonus is structured – and one approach eliminates the need for retroactive regular rate recalculation. The question came from an employer that pays a quarterly non-discretionary bonus to eligible employees, some of whom work overtime. The […]
A media company’s decision to fire a white anchor after she made a racially insensitive remark on live TV did not amount to race discrimination, the Fifth Circuit held, affirming a ruling in the employer’s favor. The sticking point: The employee had been warned about similar misconduct less than six months earlier, the court pointed […]
Does a 30-minute unpaid meal break still qualify under the FLSA if employees can barely leave the building? A new DOL opinion letter says yes – and the reasoning matters for any employer operating a large or secured facility. The question came from an employee at a large secured facility with controlled access points and […]
The global compensation landscape is evolving at an extraordinary pace. From digital assets entering payroll discussions to sweeping transparency mandates on both sides of the Atlantic, HR and business leaders face a convergence of novel legal challenges that demand immediate (and continual) attention. Specifically, three significant developments are shaping the future of employee compensation: the […]
For employers that rely on H-1B talent, a federal judge’s decision to vacate the $100,000 H-1B fee removes a significant hiring barrier, though the legal fight is likely far from over. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston struck down the fee imposed on new H-1B visa petitions, ruling it was an unauthorized tax that […]
Illinois’ Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act took effect on June 1, providing employees with children in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with unpaid, job-protected leave. For Payroll, that means new administration, coding and tracking requirements for the new leave. Coverage Tiers for the NICU Leave Law The new law applies to employers with […]
A new DOL opinion letter addresses off-the-clock work, rounding policies, and the de minimis defense – and the conclusions should prompt a hard look at pre-shift timekeeping practices. The question came from a public hospital with roughly 18,000 non-exempt workers. The DOL responded by issuing Opinion Letter FLSA2026-8 on May 28, 2026. When Off-the-Clock Work […]
Does dual-role scheduling put your overtime compliance at risk? A new DOL opinion letter says it depends on the specific facts of the arrangement. The question came from an academic medical center, but the answer applies broadly to any employer that uses dual-role scheduling arrangements. The DOL responded by issuing Opinion Letter FLSA2026-5 on May […]
A national trucking company has agreed to pay $5.5 million to resolve claims that it refused to hire qualified female drivers across the U.S., according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The alleged sex discrimination has occurred for at least 10 years, the agency said. Lawsuit Alleges Nationwide Sex Discrimination Central Transport, LLC, is […]
