HDR thirdshift
Apr
10

DOL redefinition of “spouse” blocked by Texas federal court

On February 25, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor announced an important change in the definition of spouse under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The new rule was to take effective on March 27, 2015. But on March 26, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of Texas issued a temporary restraining order putting the kibosh on the rule change.

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Nov
11

Stereotyping jobs can lead to charges of discrimination

Nearly 2,500 men received back wages, interest, and benefits because they were steered by the employer to “men’s work” and not hired to do “women’s work.”

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Nov
11

Employees must be paid if they are required to attend meetings

Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises, LLC, are going to have to pay nearly $4.5 million dollars to more than 2,600 employees because the companies didn’t pay employees who attended meetings the companies required the employees to attend. (Motiva is partially owned by Shell.)

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Sep
22

Employers, beware misclassification of workers

Beginning in approximately 2009, the U.S. Labor Department (DOL) began a crackdown on misclassification of workers. In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) joined the effort. Under an agreement between the two departments, the DOL will provide information to the IRS for investigation of potential misclassification.

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