Last week, an Ohio, a federal judge held that a home health aide failed to demonstrate that she performed general housework unrelated to the care of her patients, and therefore qualified as a provider of companionship services under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s previous formulation of the “companion” exemption. As such, the home health
summary judgment
Research Manager Properly Classified As Exempt Administrative Employee
To be “administratively” exempt from overtime, in addition to being paid appropriately on a salary or fee basis, an employee must perform office or non-manual work directly related to the management or general business operations of his or her employer, with a primary duty which includes the exercise of discretion and independent judgment with…
Second Circuit Rejects Plaintiff’s Tolling, Willfulness Arguments
Reviewing a district court’s dismissal of FLSA claims which were not timely filed within the FLSA’s two-year limitations period for non-willful violations, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found no error in the lower court’s two findings that: 1) plaintiff failed to create a question of fact as to willfulness in order to…
Pennsylvania Federal Court Finds Classification of Couriers as Employees or Independent Contractor To Be Question of Fact
In a short order following oral argument, Judge Juan R. Sanchez of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania denied an FLSA defendant’s motion for summary judgment seeking a ruling that it properly classified its delivery couriers as independent contractors under the FLSA. Spellman, et al. v. American Eagle Express, Inc., E.D. Pa., No. 10-cv-1764.
In so…
Texas Federal Court Agrees With Employer: Gate Attendants Are Independent Contractors Within the Meaning of FLSA
The Department of Labor often challenges an employer’s independent contractor classification, even when such classification is a matter of long-standing, industry practice. Such disagreements can result in DOL audits or even DOL litigation seeking alleged unpaid minimum wage and overtime, as well as private enforcement actions. In a recent victory for employers involving litigation brought…
New York District Court Denies Summary Judgment As To Applicability of Administrative Exemption To “Research Associate”
Confusion continues to reign throughout the federal district courts as to the scope of the administrative exemption as set forth in the regulations at 29 C.F.R. §§ 541.200-202. In a decision highlighting this lack of clarity, Federal District Judge Kevin Castel of the Southern District of New York recently denied cross-motions for summary judgment as to…
Southern District of New York Judge Ratifies Legality of Participation in Tip Pool By Captains and Banquet Coordinator
While the New York State Department of Labor’s new Hospitality Industry Wage Order clarified many wage and hour issues for industry employers, the appropriateness of tip pool participation of certain categories of employee continues to be an area of uncertainty. On January 13, 2011, Federal District Judge Laura Taylor Swain granted summary judgment to Manhattan restaurant…
A Reminder Of The Importance Of Salary Basis Compliance
Often when analyzing whether a position is exempt, we only focus on whether the job duties are sufficient for exempt status. However, in most instances, there is a second requirement: compliance with the salary basis test. A recent decision issued by Judge Larimer of the Western District of New York is a reminder to not …