While ignorance is bliss, it is never an excuse for not knowing the law. In other words, a court will not care whether an employer understood its legal obligations when deciding whether to impose liability for a violation of the law: the court will find that the employer is responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying […]
Many employers prohibit the use of drugs in their workplace, and some companies go so far as to test prospective and current employees for drug use. But drug testing is a complicated topic because it is largely regulated by state labor laws. That means that each state can approach drug testing differently, creating headaches for […]
Although technology is playing an ever-greater role in the workplace, few labor laws address employee use of social media. However, two federal agencies—the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—have recently provided clarity on the protections afforded employees and their online content. Both agencies have determined that […]
California labor laws are designed to protect employees from having to work too many hours without fair compensation for their time. These laws apply at the daily and weekly level. Here is a summary of what California law requires when it comes to overtime pay. Daily and Weekly Overtime in California Nonexempt employees […]
New York labor laws include several important employee meal period and rest break requirements for employers to understand. Employers in New York who fail to comply with these rules subject themselves to liability, including penalties, under the state’s wage and hour laws. Here is a summary of what New York law requires of employers when […]
What Is the Fair Labor Standards Act? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is a federal law that governs important wage and hour standards for U.S. employees. It sets the minimum wage, establishes rules for overtime eligibility, regulates child labor, and determines employer recordkeeping requirements. The law applies to full-time and part-time employees […]
It’s important for California employers to understand California labor laws governing meal periods and rest breaks. Otherwise, they may find themselves subject to significant amounts of litigation as well as financial risk from legal penalties. Here is a summary of what California law requires when it comes to employee meal periods and rest breaks. California […]
Under federal laws, as well as the laws of the New York Department of Labor, the Division of Human Rights, and other state agencies, New York employers are required to display certain posters in the workplace to remain in compliance. Employers of certain sizes or in particular industries are subject to additional posting requirements. In […]
The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor implements and enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA creates minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards that affect workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. Here are ten basic things employers should know about […]
