Over the past few years, numerous states and municipalities have increased the statutory minimum wage. Further, through Executive Order, President Obama increased the federal minimum wage applicable to federal contractors. Consistent with this trend, the governors of both California and New York have now reached new legislative deals with their respective legislative branches which provide
new york city
The Confusing Array of Wage Hour Developments Impacting New York State Employers’ Wage and Hour Compliance
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Minimum Wage, New York State
In prior posts, we have summarized the New York State Department of Labor’s most recent rulemaking processes, comprised of two separate wage boards. The first, in 2014, addressed the hospitality industry as a whole, while more recently, in 2015, another highly publicized wage board addressed the subset of that industry deemed “fast food.” Employers should…
New York’s Fast Food Wage Board Confirms: $15/Hour
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Minimum Wage, New York State
In a televised meeting this afternoon, New York’s recently-convened Fast Food Wage Board confirmed industry employers’ fears and announced its unanimous recommendation that the wage for “fast food employees” in “fast food establishments” be increased to $15/hour by December 31, 2018 in New York City and by July 1, 2021 in the rest of New…
Minimum Wage Increases – Another Challenge For National Employers and Unintended Consequences For the Public
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Uncategorized
As with the recent uptick in state and municipal paid leave laws, employers in multiple jurisdictions now find themselves faced with a similar national bandwagon in favor of increased state and municipal minimum wage requirements, highlighted by the Los Angeles City Council’s recent decision to ratify a proposal moving that City’s minimum wage to…
Philadelphia Joins New York City, Newark and Many Other Jurisdictions In Requiring Paid Sick Leave
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Leave, Pennsylvania
On February 12, Mayor Michael Nutter signed a bill requiring Philadelphia employers with 10 or more employees to offer paid sick leave, joining neighbors New York City and Newark, New Jersey, as well as other states and localities, in enacting such a requirement. The Philadelphia bill takes effect in mid-May, and requires that eligible…
Federal Court Finds New York City Not Required To Compensate Employees For Time Spent In Alcohol Rehabilitation
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Hours of Work
Few entities are subject to as many lawsuits as the City of New York, with its millions of occupants and thousands of employees. A recent decision rejects three NYPD police officers’ claims that they should have been paid for time spent in alcohol rehabilitation and counseling sessions. Makinen v. City of New York,…
Second Circuit Upholds Volunteer Finding Vis a Vis Former Student Turned School Aid
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Coverage
In December 2012, we discussed a lower court’s ruling that a young man who volunteered his time at his old high school working with at risk youths was not an “employee” within the meaning of the Fair Labor Standards Act entitled to minimum wage protection. On appeal, the Court of Appeals for the Second…
New York City, State Legislatures Pass Bills
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
As expected, the New York City Council has overridden Mayor Bloomberg’s veto, making the Earned Sick Time Act law in New York City. At the state level, the legislature has passed a measure called the Commercial Goods Transportation Fair Play Act. Like its namesake the Construction Industry Fair Play Act, this measure addresses…
New York City Poised To Enact Paid Sick Days
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Leave, New York State
New York City is expected to join the ranks of the growing number of jurisdictions which require private sector employers to provide paid sick days to employees. The legislation, which is expected to be passed shortly by the City Council, reflects a compromise between advocates for such legislation, opponents within the business community and…