A French court recently awarded 11,000 euros (about $15,000) in damages to three contestants in a reality television show, finding that the contestants were entitled to overtime and other benefits. The three plaintiffs appeared in L’Ile de la Tentation (Temptation Island), a show that follows couples separated on a tropical island, where single people attempted
Exotic Dancers Are Employees, Not Independent Contractors
Every now and then we need a reminder to illustrate the dangers of misclassifying employees as "independent contractors." Last week, the Montana Supreme Court provided such a reminder, ruling that exotic dancers were employees, not independent contractors. Click here to read the opinion in Smith v. TYAD Inc. d/b/a Playground Lounge & Casino.
In Playground, the
Cosmetology Teachers, Not Day Care Teachers, Overtime Exempt
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
California Overtime Laws Cover Nonresidents Who Work in California
Do California wage and hour laws – including their daily and weekly overtime provisions – apply to non-residents who occasionally perform work in California? Yes, according to a decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month. Click here to read the court’s decision in Sullivan v. Oracle Corp.
In Sullivan
California Drywall Contractor Settles Meal Break Case for $1.4 Million
California employers beware: the state Attorney General is enforcing meal breaks and overtime laws. This week, an Orange County drywall contractor agreed to pay $1.4 million in damages to employees who did not receive their legally required meal breaks or who did not recieve overtime. To read the settlement in the case, California v. Interwall Dev. Sys. Inc.
Jail Time For Washington Employer
As part of a plea agreement reached earlier this month, Jerry and James Schram, co-owners of a Vancouver, Washington construction company, will serve 30 days of jail time and perform community service. Their crime? Hiding information in an attempt to reduce their workers’ compensation premiums. In addition, the Schrams also pleaded guilty to misdemeanors