We thought it was resolved for good back in December with the NLRB decision in the Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors case, but the Inspector General’s report on that vote and Bill Emanuel’s participation in it changed that outcome. Now comes a request from the Competitive Enterprise Institute that the same Office of the Inspector General investigate…
Read More »Senate Democrats have formed a filibuster proof bloc of 43 Senators opposing a bill passed by the House in February that adds new provisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The group of Senators advised Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in a letter signed by all 43 this week that they will not allow…
Read More »The Department of Labor’s new amnesty program for companies that owe back wages becomes effective next Tuesday, April 3. The Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program allows employers to self-report wage and hour violations without legal consequences so long as they are not prior offenders and they pay affected workers the full back pay owed.…
Read More »As promised, the registration pages for the 2018 DDIFO National Conference opened earlier this week for franchisee attendees as well as Business Member exhibitors. The Conference will be held earlier than usual this year – June 11 & June 12, so as not to conflict with Dunkin’s convention in September – at the Harrahs New…
Read More »Effective Sunday, April 1, a new law in Massachusetts expressly prohibits discrimination against employees who are pregnant or experiencing pre- and/or post-birth pregnancy related medical needs. Known as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the law immediately requires employers to provide their employees with notice of the act in writing by April 1, 2018 – a…
Read More »On Monday of this week, the New Jersey Legislature gave overwhelming final approval to a gender pay equity bill that will be one of the strongest in the nation. Governor Phil Murphy (D) is expected to sign the measure, NJ A1/S104. The act will prohibit unequal pay for ‘substantially similar work’ and provides that employees…
Read More »An increase in the Louisiana minimum wage suffered the same fate as pay equity legislation when the senate voted down a bill that would have increased the state minimum wage to $8 in 2019 and $8.50 in 2020. Louisiana is one of only 5 states that do not have a state minimum and hence, defer…
Read More »With the Boston Marathon rapidly approaching, Dunkin’ Donuts unveiled this week a new product with which it had teamed with another Massachusetts-based company, Saucony footwear company. Together this week they launched the Saucony X Dunkin Kinvara 9 running sneaker. The limited-edition footwear is replete with Dunkin’s pink and orange colors as well as the company…
Read More »Tim Horton’s hasn’t given up the fight with its own franchise owners notwithstanding that their sales have continued to fall in the US as well as across Canada. Earlier this month, parent Restaurant Brands International advised franchisees in a conference call that franchise owners would be expected to remodel and update their restaurants to the…
Read More »The Omnibus spending bill, unveiled by Congressional negotiators Wednesday and passed by the House yesterday, includes a number of provisions relevant to pending labor issues. Of primary concern is a so-called compromise provision on the tip pooling issue that in actuality is potentially devastating to small businesses. The compromise, which was authored by Senator Patty…
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