The USDOL has been pretty busy lately issuing new rules and interpretations about FLSA issues, including vague, nuanced issues like the inclusion (or not) of bonuses in the regular rate and the circumstances under which employers can utilize bonuses. The agency has again issued such a clarification allowing employers to provide bonuses (and hazard pay)
USDOL Issues Opinion Letter on Inclusion of Longevity Bonus in the Regular Rate
The USDOL has been quite busy lately in issuing regulations and other guidance relating to the provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. With that said, the “regular” business of the agency continues as best as it can. One of these functions is the issuance of Opinion Letters which, as I have written about
USDOL Opinion Letter on Bonuses Shows the New Vitality of This Important Instructional Tool
The USDOL is busy again issuing Opinion Letters and has again turned its focus to the issue of inclusion/exclusion of bonuses into the regular rate for purposes of overtime computation. These Letters are not binding on courts but they operate to evidence the agency’s position on whatever issue is being addressed so they are extremely
New DOL Rule Adapts The Law To The Modern Workplace By Eliminating Certain Perks From Regular Rate Calculation
Employers always have difficulty knowing what sums should be included in calculation of the regular rate and many employers unwittingly walk themselves into trouble by not knowing the intricacies of FLSA computation. Well, the USDOL is finally doing something about that. The agency just finalized a rule that allows employers to not include the cash
New DOL Proposed Rule Will Affect What Is included (or Not) in Regular Rate for Overtime Calculation
Even the most well-intentioned employer who wants to comply with the FLSA will have trouble, as there are many gray, nuanced provisions and regulations in this law, especially on overtime computation. One of these is the requirement to include non-discretionary bonuses in the overtime calculation of non-exempt workers. That may now be changing as the
Attempt at “Blended” Overtime Defense Fails in FLSA Case in Fourth Circuit
An interesting decision just issued involving an employer who attempted to use a blended compensation system to pay employees overtime. A federal appellate court ruled, however, that this system did not comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act and allowed a million dollar judgment obtained by the USDOL to stand. The case is entitled U.S.
Sales Representatives Get Certification On Failure To Include Commissions In Overtime Class Action: A Cautionary Tale
It is vital for employers to remember that when non-exempt employees earn commissions, those commissions must be included in the computation of their regular rate when they work overtime. The inclusion of the commissions bumps up the regular rate a little but if this is not done, then these small amounts of money can quickly
What The New DOL Rulings/Regulations May Bring?
I have blogged about some USDOL initiatives of late and see they are picking up some momentum with further developments coming down the line. The agency is going to revise the manner in which overtime is calculated (maybe to the employer’s benefit) and speak more on the issue (thorny as it is) of inclusion of
Regulatory Agenda of Trump Administration Indicates Significant DOL Changes
The Trump Administration has issued its regulatory agenda, which is a semi-annual statement of the short- and long-term policy plans of government agencies. The DOL is at the forefront of these changes to come. The agency stated that it will revise the definition of “regular rate,” the number that forms the basis for overtime computations
Renaissance of USDOL Opinion Letters Is An Encouraging Development
