The US Dept of Labor (USDOL) recently scrapped the 2010-era six-factor rigid test, in favor of a seven-factor flexible test that two influential courts of appeal promulgated. Don’t be fooled though — if you’re not paying interns who are doing work that you’d otherwise be paying a real employee (or real vendor or subcontractor) to …
Read More “When Is An Unpaid Intern Not?”
“Those who fail to plan, are planning to fail.” The Small Business Association of Michigan has a handy reminder of the fundamentals for not only starting your business, but for making sure your business thrives. The recent changes to our federal tax scheme might have you panicking? Just breath deep and take a S.W.O.T. And …
Read More “SWOT Are You Waiting For?”
On Jan. 1, 2018, the minimum hourly wage for non-tipped employees in Michigan increases from $8.90 to $9.25 per hour. That’s a thirty-five cent increase, folks. The minimum wage for tipped employees increases by those same $0.35 to $3.52/hr from $3.38. If you have tipped employees, you should already know (but it bears reminding) that …
Read More “Minimum Wage Increases for 2018”
For those of you who have employees and customers (yes, that means all of you), regardless of whether you have a separate HR department or if you’re wearing all of those hats as owner, the Society for Human Resource Management (“SHRM”) should be something you belong to. And, no, I get nothing for plugging SHRM …
Read More “SHRM’s Sexual Harassment Pop-Quiz”
Just as pleading that the dog ate your homework, you won’t get far with a judge by pleading that you never received an important legal notice because it must have gone to the spam folder. In Emerald Coast Utilities v. Bear Marcus Pointe, the utility ended up having to pay BMP’s legal fees not because …
Read More “The Spam Filter Dog Ate Your E-Mail Notice”
No, you cannot force your employees to only speak in English. Sure, if they need to talk to customers, or if they need to convey important safety-related information between each other, you can absolutely require that those discussions be conducted in English. But while passing time in the break room? No, you cannot force employees …
Read More “Say What?”
Like a good horror movie, complying with US immigration laws can seem like a nightmare. in The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”) requires every employer to verify the eligibility of most of its workers. The “most” part might be startling to you? Yes, most and not all. If you have someone on your payroll …
Read More “Dreamers, Nightmares, I-9 Forms, DACA and ICE”
You probably remember being told this when you were in kindergarten — just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Free speech is one of the most core principles of our country. Most folks don’t understand the nuance, however, that the First Amendment only deals with the government and its inability to censor your free …
Read More “Doesn’t Mean You Should”
Perhaps you’ve heard that “May Day” 2017 is shaping up to be one of the most heavily participated labor events in recent memory. Before it happens, then, you need to know what is and is not considered “protected concerted activity” under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). First and foremost – you do not need …
Read More “National May Day – is it a strike, or a swing and a miss?”
did you see the press about “Detroit’s Gas Station TV and Verifone Announce Joint Venture“? They are local here. You, too, can think big and grow big, you just need courage and the right talent in your corner. When you get Citadel Legal in your corner, you have the right talent.