Fisher Phillips Wage and Hour Podcast Fisher Phillips

In this episode, we discuss the most important actions employers can take, related to both population and policy changes, in preparation for the DOL’s upcoming overtime rule, effective July 1st. Our Wage and Hour team also discusses two mistakes employers make in completing self-assessments of their wage and hour practices as well as common violations identified in compliance assessments that can be easily fixed.

With summertime quickly approaching, many summer hires include those under the age of 18. The Department of Labor has increased its enforcement efforts, making it crucial for employers to re-familiarize themselves with the federal laws outlining child labor restrictions. In this episode, we discuss the largest areas of risk for employers in the hiring of minors, including limitations on hours worked, applicable state child labor laws, and hazardous occupation restrictions.

On January 10, 2024, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final rule on “Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act” which replaced the rule that made it easier to classify workers as independent contractors. Fisher Phillips will discuss the differences between the former DOL rule and the new rule which now make it more difficult to classify workers as independent contractors. We will also review likely arguments that plaintiffs’ attorneys and DOL investigators may make to challenge a worker’s classification as an independent contractor. In addition, this podcast will discuss state laws relative to independent contractor classification and provide tips on how to stay in compliance.

Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country, which effectively places a bullseye on employers for costly litigation and administrative claims. Fisher Phillips will discuss how industry norms have become costly missteps in terms of Department of Labor (DOL) investigations and employee litigation, and share some of the most common classification mistakes we see. Our focus will be on exempt status classification, employee v. contractor (W2 v. 1099) status, and related myths, all through the lens of federal wage and hour law. This podcast will highlight practical tips for employers to avoid and a blueprint for staying in compliance.

Remote work is the future of work in many industries, and compliance mistakes can be costly to businesses.  Employers and employees alike have recognized certain benefits of hybrid and permanent remote work policies. While remote work arrangements are not practical for every job or desired by every employer, when such arrangements are embraced and become embedded into company policy, employers need to ensure they are taking proper precautions.

Fisher Phillips tackles one of the most frequently used and more often than not confused white collar FLSA overtime exemptions – the administrative employee exemption. A frequent target of collective action litigation, the nuances of the administrative employee exemption can seem overwhelming to many employers. This podcast will break down the basics of the white collar exemption.