The U.S. Department of Labor  announced a final rule ,  raising the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum annual salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility in a two-step process.

Trial by jury is a fundamental right in the United States, enshrined in the Bill of Rights. But without citizens who are willing to participate as jurors, jury trials cannot exist. Serving as a juror is thus an important civic duty.  

One of the most important aspects of managing employees is ensuring they are paid correctly. Not only will you get complaints from employees if you forget to pay for hours worked or calculate overtime incorrectly, but the Department of Labor (DOL) may also come knocking at your door if they receive complaints about improper pay practices. To avoid these employee issues and be prepared in case the DOL wants to take a look at your records, make sure you are tracking and properly paying for time worked for all nonexempt employees.

As record-breaking temperatures are steadily becoming the norm nationwide, both employers and legislatures have faced urgent calls to protect employees from the increased risk of heat-related illness, particularly in the sweltering summer months. With average  global temperatures continuing to trend upward, state officials and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are working to develop and implement a patchwork of standards and enforcement initiatives to combat the intensifying indoor and outdoor heat hazards.

The minimum annual salary for most overtime-exempt employees will increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and then increase again to $58,656 on January 1, 2025, under a  new overtime rule coming from the US Department of Labor (DOL).

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.

Child Labor

When summer approaches, the number of minors (people under 18 years of age) in the workplace increases, as students who have been in school go on their summer breaks and many look for work. Hiring minors makes good business sense to many companies. Nonetheless, employers must operate in compliance with a variety of labor laws and be knowledgeable of their responsibilities when using child labor.

Under federal anti-discrimination laws, discrimination against employees based on age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), race, color, national origin, disability, religion, and genetic information is prohibited for employers with 15 or more employees (20 for age discrimination). However, many state or local laws go above and beyond the federal requirements.