June 26, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Child Labor; Paid Sick And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Amid School and Camp Closures

WASHINGTON, DC With school and summer activity schedules greatly altered as America continues to re-open in the wake of the coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today issued two Field Assistance Bulletins to clarify issues relevant to the pandemic’s effects on the workplace.

The bulletins issued today specifically address the following:

June 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Five New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today announced five new opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

June 23, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Online Tool to Help Workers Determine Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Due to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an interactive online tool to help workers determine if they qualify for paid sick leave or extended family and medical leave to cover time away from work for reasons related to the coronavirus.

May 20, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Final Rule To Expand Access to Bonuses for American Workers

WASHINGTON DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today announced a final rule that allows employers to offer bonuses or other incentive-based pay to employees whose hours vary from week to week.

May 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule to Simplify Retail or Service Establishment Exemption

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule to provide greater simplicity and flexibility to retail industry employers.

Provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) allow employers in retail and service industries to exempt certain employees paid primarily on a commission basis from overtime.

May 11, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Secures $1,149,965 in Back Wages In Bankruptcy Court for Hair Salon Workers in 15 States

VIENNA, VA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has ordered Creative Hairdressers Inc. – an operator of unisex hair salons in 15 states and the District of Columbia – to pay $1,149,965 in back wages to more than 7,500 employees.

April 20, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Ends Temporary Non-Enforcement of Paid Leave Protections to Help American Workers During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the end of the temporary period of non-enforcement of paid leave protections under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

April 7, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division Announces Job Openings

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is hiring 45 additional investigators to conduct investigations to determine employers’ compliance with applicable federal labor laws.

New recruits will join a busy and productive team, including 45 new investigators and 15 Wage and Hour Technicians the hired earlier this year.

April 3, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Additional Guidance Following Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Implementation

WASHINGTON, DC Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced more guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which went into effect April 1, 2020.

April 1, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Announces New Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Implementation

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective today, April 1, 2020.

March 28, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Adds To Guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

WASHINGTON, DC Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published more guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it goes into effect on April 1, 2020.

March 27, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes More Guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave, Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits

WASHINGTON, DC Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced more guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.

March 26, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Three New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced three new opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

March 26, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Additional Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced more guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.

March 25, 2020

UPDATED: U.S. Department of Labor Invites Stakeholders to a National Online Dialogue on Paid Family and Medical Leave and Paid Sick Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting a national online dialogue, Providing Expanded Family and Medical Leave to Employees Affected by COVID-19, to help employers and workers understand their responsibilities and rights, respectively, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

On March 18, 2020, the President signed into law the FFCRA, requiring certain employers to provide employees with paid family and medical leave or paid sick leave for specified reasons in response to COVID-19.

March 24, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.

January 12, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule To Update FLSA’s Joint Employer Regulations

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to update the regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They have not been meaningfully updated in over 60 years.

January 7, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Three New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced three new opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

January 6, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division Announces Job Openings

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is hiring 45 new investigators and 15 new wage and hour technicians. Positions are available throughout the country, with new employees expected to onboard by March 31, 2020.

December 12, 2019

CORRECTED: U.S. Department of Labor Final Rule Makes It Easier to Offer Perks to Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that will allow employers to more easily offer perks and benefits to their employees.