The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has given notice that the minimum wage required to be paid by all federal contractors to workers performing under those contracts will increase effective January 1, 2016. Notwithstanding that the minimum for these workers was increased to $10.10 per hour on January 1 of this year, it…
Read More »Notwithstanding pleas from business interests around the country as well as the Advocacy Office of the Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor has denied requests for extension of the public comment period. As a result of the Department of Labor’s intransigence, all public comment on the Wage & Hour Division proposal to more than…
Read More »As if the egregious doubling of the “white collar exemption” weren’t enough, Obama’s Department of Labor has proposed another new regulation that is very friendly to organized labor at the expense of business. Although QSRs will likely not be directly impacted, a new regulation proposed by the Department of Labor and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory…
Read More »With the Obama administration moving full bore on implementing its new overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the business advocate’s office within the Small Business Administration has formally requested that DOL allow more time for concerned individuals and small businesses to comment on the proposal. DOL’s Wage and Hour Division has proposed more…
Read More »Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez made headlines over the past week on two different occasions and with two different issues. First, he joined activists, elected officials and others to endorse legislation that was newly introduced by Washington Senator Patty Murray and Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott. The so-called “Raise the Wage Act” would increase the…
Read More »US Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez testified before Congress a week ago on the DOL budget request and in so doing, gave an impression that there will be increased enforcement by his department on perceived wage and hour violations. Aside from minimum wage issues, the Obama administration is increasing their focus on overtime pay. During…
Read More »Under the provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), since 1993, eligible employees have been allowed to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons including to care for a spouse dealing with a medical issue. Spouse now includes those in same-sex marriages. The change ostensibly stems from the Defense of Marriage…
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Although it clearly doesn’t impact the QSR industry, we’re certainly pleased to learn that a federal court in Washington DC has struck down portions of a ruling of the Department of Labor mandating minimum wages and overtime pay for certain home health companion workers employed by third party businesses. The decision will hopefully serve to…
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There was more encouraging news on the economic front this week as the nation’s economy added 214,000 new jobs in the month of October – reportedly the ninth straight month of 200,000 plus new jobs. At the same time, the Department of Labor reported last week that the nation’s unemployment rate in October fell to…
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As a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee, you and your labor lawyer should immediately audit your franchise’s compensation practices. Lawsuits for unpaid minimum and overtime wages are on the rise, and several Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees in the northeast have been the targets of lawsuits and Department of Labor investigations. In September 2014, a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee near…
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