New guidance from DOL regarding workplace violence

Based on a continuing problem of violence in the workplace, the DOL has issued updated guidance related to this important topic. According to the press release announcing the issuance of the new guidelines, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that more than 23,000 significant injuries in 2013 occurred due to assaults in the workplace—and 70% […]

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Tipped Employees Must Have Actual Notice of Use of Tip Credit

The tip credit permitted under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) has always presented challenges to restaurants and other employers seeking to apply it correctly. Last month, the First Circuit addressed the tip credit and the question of the type of notice which must be given to employees regarding its use in the case of […]

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Executive Order 13658 “Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors” Final Rule

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Labor issued the final rule that raises the minimum wage for workers on federal contracts to $10.10 an hour. The 338 page rule, which takes effect on January 1 2015, implements Executive Order 13658. The final rule provides for employers guidance as to which contracts and which employees are […]

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Summary Judgment Affirmed for Employer Using Monday-Sunday Workweek to Calculate Overtime

Last month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals faced the question of whether the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), an employer has to use a certain workweek to maximize overtime for employees. The Fifth Circuit ruled that there is no such obligation on an employer. Johnson v. Heckmann Water Resources, Inc. No. 13-40824 (July 14, […]

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DOL Proposed Rule Redefines “Spouse” Under FMLA

In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013), the Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule changing the definition of “spouse” under the FMLA. This proposed rule, issued on June 20, 2014, would insure that all eligible employees who are legally married, […]

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SNOW DAY! Do you have to pay exempt employees?

Even here in Hampton Roads, where we rarely see much snow at all, we have had to confront the various issues that can arise in the workplace during a snowstorm.  Do we close the office? What do we do if we remain open, yet an employee doesn’t come in?  The Department of Labor issued an […]

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Outside Sales Exemption Applies to Mortgage Loan Officer

Exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) continue to be the source of much litigation in our district and across the country.   Last month, the Eastern District of Virginia tackled the outside salesperson exemption and found that a mortgage loan officer qualified for the exemption, even though she spent only about 25-30% of time […]

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