There is a tripartite test for independent contractor under the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation statute (and many other States), the so-called “ABC” test. Under this test, services performed by an individual for remuneration shall be deemed to be employment unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Department of Labor that: (a) Such individual
Working Time
Off-The-Clock Collective Action Case Settles: The Continuing Danger for Employers
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Overtime Issues, Working Time
I have defended many off-the-clock working time cases and I submit that they are very dangerous for employers. This is because they are particularly amenable to class certification because it is likely that there is a common policy applicable to the members of the class. This premise is highlighted by a recent settlement for a…
CBS Parking Spot Case Settles: Another Example Of A FLSA Working Time Issue Gone Viral
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Class Actions, Working Time
I had blogged about this case when it first came out. It struck me as very interesting because not only is the subject matter unique, it also raises the whole thorny issue of what is (or is not) working time. This latest case involves Parking Production Assistants (PPAs). These people worked for CBS and their…
First New USDOL FLSA Opinion Letters Are Issued – A Very Good Thing
By Mark Tabakman on
At long last, new USDOL Opinion Letters are bursting forward. Like Spring. The agency just issued three new letters on a variety of topics, including one of my favorites, travel time. The other letters address issues of compensable break time as well as the kinds of lump-sum payments that could be garnished for child support.…
When Does Travel Become Compensable Work Hours?
By Mark Tabakman on
I blog a lot about working time cases because these are the issues can sneak up on an employer, even the most well intentioned and good faith employer. Travel time is one of these murky, arcane kind of activities that go unnoticed by companies until, often, a lawsuit is filed. Another example emerges. A group…
Donning and Duffing Cases Keep Happening: The Danger of Off-The-Clock Activities
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Working Time
Working time cases come in all sizes and shapes. Many of these off-the-clock cases are so-called donning-and-duffing cases involving clothes changing for work and whether it is compensable. The U.S. Department of Labor has weighed in again on this issue. It has filed a lawsuit against a battery company for its alleged failure to pay…
A Waiting Time/Bag Inspection Case Where The De Minimis Defense Actually Worked!
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Class Actions, Working Time
I have blogged several times recently on the rash of “check bag” cases that have percolated through the courts. Another example. A class of workers employed by Converse Inc. have now asked the Ninth Circuit to revive a class action resting on the theory that the time waiting to go through mandatory security inspections was…
Eddie Bauer Security Check Waiting Time Case Gets Certification: What Is “Working Time”?
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Class Actions, Working Time
What is working time? There are many variations on this theme, some far grayer than others. When does waiting time become working time? Is the employee engaged to be waiting or waiting to be engaged? If the former, then it is working time. A class action involving more than 1,100 workers is now testing these…
Admissions Director Exemption Issue May Impact Whether She Is Entitled To Pay For On-Call Hours
By Mark Tabakman on
I have blogged about and have long been concerned about working time issues and what constitutes compensable work hours. One of the thorniest of these issues is on-call time and when, if at all, on-call hours become working time. A recent case throws light on this issue, as a Court has held that an…
Ninth Circuit Finds Beauty School Students Were Not Employees
By Mark Tabakman on
Posted in Class Actions, Working Time
There have been a great many intern cases recently, cases testing whether interns crossed the line into being statutory employees and therefore covered by the FLSA. I have blogged about these kinds of cases and have specifically blogged about beauty school cases. The Ninth Circuit has just affirmed a lower federal court’s dismissal of…