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EFFECTIVE
October 1, 2018 |
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In Tapia v. BLCH 3rd Ave. LLC, the Second Circuit Court of Appeal clarified that there is no double recovery of liquidated damages under the FLSA where damages are also awarded under state law. Additionally, the court reviewed direct shareholder liability under the FLSA by looking at the operational control of the alleged employer, including whether the individual has the power to: (1) hire and fire employees, (2) supervise and control employee work schedules or conditions of employment, (3) determine the rate and method of payment, and (4) maintain employment records.
There, the court found evidence that the shareholder only partially satisfied the fourth criteria of operational control. Ultimately, the court stated that status as a significant shareholder was not alone enough to show that the employer exercised or possessed financial control over the company to be held personally liable.
Action Items
- Review corporate structures for potential liability.
- Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.
© 2018 ManagEase
Illinois: Equal Pay, Expense Reimbursement, and Military Leave Updates
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers with IL Employees
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January 1, 2019
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HB 4743 amended the Illinois Equal Pay Act to prohibit paying wages to an African-American employee at a rate less than wage rates paid to non-African-American employees for the same or substantially similar work on jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility, and are performed under similar working conditions, with limited exceptions.
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Massachusetts: “Back Pay” Damages under the WARN Act are not Wages under State Law
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers Subject to the Federal WARN Act in MA
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December 28, 2018
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In Calixto v. Coughlin, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court stated that back pay under the federal WARN Act is not considered wages under the state Wage Act. There, employees claimed a violation of the WARN Act for failure to give advance notice of a company closure. The employer did not defend the claims and the employees were awarded almost two million dollars in “back pay.” However, the employer was insolvent and unable to pay. The employees subsequently filed a claim under the Wage Act for failure to pay the “back pay” award. Ultimately, the Court interpreted the state Wage Act to only apply to “wages earned” for work actually performed, resulting in the dismissal of the employees’ claims.
Action Items
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.
© 2019 ManagEase
Massachusetts: New Guidance for Calculating Wages for Tipped Employees
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers of MA Tipped Employees
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January 1, 2019
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The “Grand Bargain” added a clause to the service rate statute stating that an employer shall calculate the “amount required by clause (2) at the completion of each shift worked by the employee.” The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office recently released additional guidance on what this means.
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New York: Statewide Gender Identity and Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law Passed
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers with NY Employees
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February 24, 2019
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While New York City expands protections for sexual and reproductive health decisions, New York State also made a move to expand the list of protected categories set forth in the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL). Specifically, the state legislature passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which adds “gender identity or expression” to the list of protected classes under the NYSHRL. Discrimination, including workplace discrimination, based on a person’s actual or perceived gender-related identity, appearance, behavior, expression, or other gender-related characteristics are prohibited.
Action Items
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.
© 2019 ManagEase
New York City, NY: New Protected Categories Centered on Reproductive Choice
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers with 4 or more New York City, NY Employees
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May 20, 2019
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The New York City Council recently voted to amend the NYC Human Rights Law to include “sexual and other reproductive health decisions” to its list of protected classes. The amendment prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees based on their sexual and reproductive health decisions, defined as “any decision by an individual to receive services, which are arranged for or offered or provided to individuals relating to sexual and reproductive health, including the reproductive system and its functions.” Examples of such services include, but are not limited to, fertility-related procedures; STD prevention, testing, or treatment; family planning services or counseling; birth control drugs or sterilization treatments; emergency contraception; pregnancy testing; or abortion.
Action Items
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.
© 2019 ManagEase
Philadelphia, PA: Fair Workweek Ordinance Coming 2020
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
Employers of 250+ Employees and 30+ Locations Worldwide
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January 1, 2020
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Effective January 1, 2020, Philadelphia employers in the retail, fast food, and hospitality industries will have new requirements imposed on their scheduling and pay practices. The Fair Workweek Employment Standards Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) applies to large employers of 250 or more employees, inclusive of full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees. Key provisions of the Ordinance require covered employers to:
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February Updates
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
Varies
EFFECTIVE
Varies
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New Guidance From OSHA on Post-Incident Drug Testing and Safety Incentive Programs
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers
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October 11, 2018
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On October 11, 2018, OSHA issued a memorandum of interpretation clarifying its position on workplace safety incentive programs and post-incident drug testing. Originally, OSHA issued a Final Rule on May 11, 2016 that sought to increase anti-retaliation protections by requiring employers to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illness without fear of adverse employment actions. The Rule stated that the existing requirement that an employer’s procedure for reporting work-related injury or illness must be (1) reasonably laid out in a manner that does not discourage/deter employees from reporting; and (2) incorporates existing statutory whistleblower protections. Moreover, “drug testing policies should limit post-incident testing to situations in which employee drug use is likely to have contributed to the incident, and for which the drug test can accurately identify impairment caused by drug use.” (Emphasis added.)
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Second Circuit Refines the Definition of the Outside Salesperson Exemption
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers with CT, NY, and VT Employees
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September 19, 2018
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In Flood v. Just Energy Mktg. Corp., the Second Circuit Court of Appeal recently addressed what qualifies an employee for the outside sales exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Generally, the outside sales exemption is based on an employee’s primary duties – making sales or obtaining orders for contracts or services, while customarily and regularly engaged away from the employer’s place of business.
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Second Circuit Clarifies Damages and Shareholder Liability under the FLSA
/0 Comments/in HR Alerts /by ManagEaseAPPLIES TO
All Employers with CT, NY, VT Employees
EFFECTIVE
October 1, 2018
QUESTIONS?
Contact HR On-Call
(888) 378-2456
In Tapia v. BLCH 3rd Ave. LLC, the Second Circuit Court of Appeal clarified that there is no double recovery of liquidated damages under the FLSA where damages are also awarded under state law. Additionally, the court reviewed direct shareholder liability under the FLSA by looking at the operational control of the alleged employer, including whether the individual has the power to: (1) hire and fire employees, (2) supervise and control employee work schedules or conditions of employment, (3) determine the rate and method of payment, and (4) maintain employment records.
There, the court found evidence that the shareholder only partially satisfied the fourth criteria of operational control. Ultimately, the court stated that status as a significant shareholder was not alone enough to show that the employer exercised or possessed financial control over the company to be held personally liable.
Action Items
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.
© 2018 ManagEase