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Compensation & Benefits

Funeral home company sued over wages, bias, harassment

02/01/2007

One of the world’s largest funeral home companies faces a class-action lawsuit by up to 6,000 current and former employees for failure to pay back wages and overtime of between $40 and $70 million …

If you benefit from volunteer labor, prepare to pay for it

02/01/2007

Nonprofits and employers in highly competitive fields often use volunteers to ease labor budgets and try out employees “before they buy.” But unless you structure those situations just right, you’re likely to run afoul of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Minimum Wage Act …

Advocates urge Spitzer to get tough on labor-law violators

02/01/2007

Immigrant advocacy groups banded together recently to urge Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer to encourage the state’s Labor Department to pursue labor violations against whole industries in addition to individual companies …

North Carolina Minimum Wage Law

02/01/2007

North Carolina’s minimum wage is $6.15 per hour, compared to the current federal minimum wage of $5.85 per hour. However, barring action by the state legislature, the federal minimum wage will overtake North Carolina’s minimum wage next year …

North Carolina Child Labor Law

02/01/2007

Generally, in North Carolina children under 18 years of age may not work between 11 pm and 5 am on nights prior to a school day. However, youth ages 16 and older can work during those hours provided they have written permission from their parent/guardian and the school principal …

Local Ordinances in North Carolina

02/01/2007

Local governments in North Carolina sometimes legislate their own rules for employers within their jurisdictions. For example, Durham County and the city of Durham have living-wage laws stipulating higher pay than the state minimum wage ($6.15 per hour) while Orange County has its own human rights ordinance …

Indiana Minimum Wage Law

02/01/2007

In conjunction with the recent increase in the federal minimum wage, Indiana hiked its minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour (effective July 24, 2007). Over the next two years, the state minimum wage will increase (along with the federal minimum wage) by 70 cents per hour in two phases …

Indiana Child Labor Law

02/01/2007

Indiana’s child labor regulations generally follow federal law but have some interesting twists that can trip up employers. Minors are prohibited from working in any hazardous occupation designated by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Children ages 14 and older must obtain a work permit signed by their parent or guardian and approved by their school. Employers hiring minors must insist on verifiable proof of age. You may not use the fact that a minor misrepresented his or her age as a defense …

Local Ordinances in Indiana

02/01/2007

Local governments in Indiana sometimes legislate their own rules for employers within their jurisdictions. For example, some municipalities have living-wage laws stipulating higher pay than the state minimum wage ($5.85 per hour), while others ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity …

Taking on more work/Life duties? Start by collecting data

02/01/2007

As work/life benefits have become mainstream, organizations have shifted their administration from stand-alone work/life departments to their employee benefits specialists. The good news is that the same management skills that contribute to an outstanding comp or benefits program also make for the best work/life programs …