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Federal Court Blocks Implementation of New Overtime Rules
Late on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the U.S. Department of Labor (“USDOL”) from implementing and enforcing its new overtime rules. These overtime rules would have raised the minimum salary level for the white collar exemptions (executive, administrative, professional)…
Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on FLSA Overtime Regulations
On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor published its long-awaited final rule amending the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) overtime regulations regarding the executive, administrative and professional exemptions (the “FLSA White Collar Exemptions”). The outside sales and computer professional exemptions are not subject to the new amendments.
Read moreGovernor Cuomo Signs $15 Minimum Wage Plan and 12 Week Paid Family Leave Policy into Law
On April 4, 2016, Governor Cuomo signed legislation enacting a statewide $15 minimum wage plan and a 12-week paid family leave policy. The sweeping legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget.
Read moreHow Safe is Your Employees’ Personal Information? Employers Must Take Immediate Action.
The IRS issued an alert on March 1, 2016 to payroll and HR professionals about a new phishing scheme involving W-2 information. Employers need to take immediate steps to confirm the security of their employees’ personal information. The alert describes a scheme which has already claimed several victims. Payroll and human resources officers have mistakenly…
Read moreBusiness Update: A Seminar for Clients and Friends of the Firm
Mackenzie Hughes attorneys strongly believe in keeping their clients informed on the latest developments in law and business.
Read moreIndependent Contractor or Employee? The U.S. Department of LaborWeighs In
In July, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Administrator issued an Administrative Interpretation (the “Guidance”) clarifying the standards it applies to determine whether a worker is properly classified as an employee or an independent contractor. In so doing – and of particular note to employers – the DOL advised that “most workers are…
Read moreMemorial Day 2015 – Parades, Flags and new FMLA Forms!
If you are a business owner or human resources manager with over 50 employees, you have likely been using Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) forms which had an expiration date of March 31, 2015. The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued new forms over this past 2015 Memorial Day weekend, with an expiration date of…
Read moreUS Department of Homeland Security Provides Work Authorization for Certain H-4 Spouses
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require a Bachelor’s or higher degree and theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields such as science, engineering and computer programming. In addition to specialty occupation workers, the H-1B classification applies to individuals performing services related to a Department of Defense…
Read moreNLRB Sets Forth New Rule Regarding Employee Use of Company Email During Non-Working Time
In an important 3-2 decision on December 11, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) held in Purple Communications that, except in very limited circumstances, Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) requires employers to open their corporate email systems to union organizing by employees and to discussions among employees about the terms…
Read moreNew York State Legislation: Updates to the Wage Theft Prevention Act
The amendments to the 2011 Wage Theft Prevention Act (“WTPA”) were signed into law on December 29, 2014. This legislation contains items that we think are important for the business community.
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