Cosmetology teachers, but not day care teachers, are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act‘s (FLSA’s) overtime and minimum wage rules, according to two recent opinion letters from the Department of Labor.

The FLSA contains an exemption for professional employees, including any “teacher in elementary or secondary schools.”  Cosmetology teachers qualify for the exemption, according

The U.S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would impose significant penalties on employers who improperly classify employees as "independent contractors" to avoid paying for benefits. 

The Employee Misclassification Prevention Act (S. 3648) was introduced in the Senate on September 29, and is sponsored by Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.).  

The U.S. Supreme Court opened its 2008-2009 term on October 6 with six labor and employment law cases on its docket.  (For docket information and questions presented, click on the name of the case). 

  • Locke v. Karass:  may a public employee union may charge nonmembers for representational costs for litigation expenses incurred by the international union

The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) will become law on January 1, 2009, substantially expanding the Americans with Disabilities Act, and increasing employers’ obligations to accommodate disabled employees.  To help you get ready to comply with this important new law, Stoel Rives is offering free ADAAA seminars in its Seattle, Portland and Boise offices on December 2, 2008.  To