Employers have a long history of trying to classify employees as independent contractors rather than employees. The reason for this is that the company is not required to pay Social Security for independent contractors it hires, the company does not have to provide the workers with benefits, and the company…
Dynamex v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County is yet another example of a package delivery service trying to classify its drivers as independent contractors instead of employees to avoid paying overtime and benefits. This case was heard before Court of Appeal for the State of California Second Appellate Division.…
The NFL has been under scrutiny for failing to take action against players charged with violent offense, as well as additional wage and hour claims. According to the L.A. Times, the NFL settled a claim with Oakland Raiders cheerleaders for $1.25 million. The settlement is intended to cover back pay…
In California and nationwide, workers who are already subjected to low wages must also be wary of wage theft, arising from failure to pay overtime and other labor law violations. In the most recent case involving wage theft, hundreds of thousands of warehouse workers stand to collect $21 million in…
Employment laws and regulations are intended to protect all workers, from low-paying employees to executives. In some cases, higher-wage or salary employees, or commissioned employees, can be exempted from certain legal requirements. In a recent California case, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision that clarifies some complexities related to…
Some job descriptions are more complicated when it comes to wage and hour law; however, every company is responsible for ensuring compliance. In a recent case, truck drivers who worked for Anheuser-Busch are filing a lawsuit alleging that the brewing company discouraged employees from taking breaks for meals or rest.…
In the age of the Internet and Smartphones, more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute, in a coffee shop, from home, or even from the beach. The flexibility of telecommuting has proven to be a generous perk for employees as well as for independent contractors and freelancers. With all…
Under federal law, employees are entitled to breaks for meals and rest. Overtime payments are also required when an employee is required to work more than a standard 40-hour week, unless that employee is classified as “exempt.” In the event that a company is in violation of state or federal…
Nationwide, unpaid internship arrangements have been scrutinized for low wages and potential violations of state and federal labor laws. While some claim that the legal scrutiny of unpaid internships is putting programs and opportunities at risk, other worker rights advocacy groups see the internships as a way to squeeze cheap…
Apple is facing another class action that could prove costly if 20,000 employees succeed. According to the New York Times, a California state court has certified a class of former Apple employees over wage and hour claims. The complaint states that the company failed to provide meal and rest breaks…