New Oregon Transit Tax: What Employers Need to Know

Beginning on July 1, 2018, employers must start withholding Oregon’s statewide transit tax from the wages of Oregon residents (regardless of where the work is performed); and (2) wages of non-Oregon residents who perform services in Oregon.  The tax is one-tenth of one percent (.001) if the employee’s wages.  While it is not imposed on […]

READ MORE

Congress Slips Tip-Pooling Solution into Spending Bill

It used to be that restaurants could not require that tips be pooled and distributed between tipped and non-tipped employees (e.g. servers and kitchen staff).  Congress has changed that Employers can now require tip-pooling IF… Each participant employee is paid the full minimum wage before tips (that mean no tip credits!) AND The employer/manager/supervisor does […]

READ MORE

Companies Need To Have Zero Tolerance For Hate Speech

With the recent rallies of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other hate groups happening around the country, it’s important for employers to understand their rights and legal obligations when it comes to hate-speech in the work place, and why having a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory and racist speech is important for more than just moral and […]

READ MORE

Court Rejects BOLI’s New Interpretation of Overtime Laws for Manufacturers

You may have read about the turmoil BOLI caused by suddenly changing its interpretation of overtime laws governing employees in manufacturing facilities.  If you’re not aware of the issue, check out our most recent Business and Employment Law Newsletter. In  an nutshell, for decades BOLI had been telling manufacturers to pay either the higher of […]

READ MORE

Don’t Be Too Hasty To Discipline Employees For Attendance Issues

An employee who regularly is absent, arrives late or leaves early can be a headache for a manager.  Oftentimes the manager gets fed up with the employee and either writes them up or fires them for being unreliable.  However, employers must tread lightly before deciding to discipline or discharge an employee who misses work for […]

READ MORE

Breaking News: DOL Overtime Rule Temporarily Blocked

A Texas federal judge entered a nationwide injunction today blocking the U.S. Department of Labor from implementing its controversial rule increasing the salary threshold for its “white collar” overtime exemptions.  The change was set to take effect December 1, 2016.  Employers for now can put on hold any salary increases as this battle winds its […]

READ MORE

Effective 12/1/16 – DOL Raises FLSA Minimum Salary for Overtime-Exempt Employees

Starting December 1, 2016, the minimum salary requirement for overtime-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act increases from $23,660 annually ($455/week) to $47,476 ($913/week).  If the new requirement is not met, then the employee will longer be considered exempt from overtime.  To comply, employers should review each of their overtime-exempt designated employees to determine: […]

READ MORE
    RSS

    FOLLOW US

    Stay up to date with the latest from Cosgrave