The Sophisticated Employer Blog

The Michigan Supreme Court has clarified its ruling with respect to the schedule for increasing the state's minimum wage and phasing out credit for tipped workers.

The anticipated repeal of Michigan’s “right-to-work” law will significantly change the landscape for unionized and non-unionized employers, alike.

Michigan appellate court upholds legislative changes that would have granted expanded paid medical leave, raised the state's minimum wage and eliminated tip credit wages. 

Unlike Title VII, the federal Equal Pay Act shifts the burden of proof to employers to prove a nondiscriminatory reason for pay difference.

The duties test must be applied to determine an employee’s exempt status or employers may face an adverse (and costly) appellate court decision like this one!

Amid the confusing tangle of federal and state COVID-19 laws and executive orders, Michigan employers can consult this guide to remain in compliance.

Federal appellate court indicates violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act may also violate federal racketeering statute.

Employers must get it right when it comes to FMLA qualifying leave for employees or they could face significant liability.

DOL’s new rule is more employer friendly, but it must be adhered to in order to avoid liability.

Department of Labor opinion letter serves as reminder to employers that non-discretionary bonuses impact overtime pay calculations.

Federal appellate court rules Ohio employer violates FMLA with convoluted no-fault attendance policy for employees.

Nerd alert! Decimals have their point when it comes to rounding employees’ time under new U.S. Department of Labor opinion.

Employers must file new Component 2 compensation data with the EEOC by Sept. 30.

The Michigan Legislature is giving this author flashbacks over a challenge to its own lame duck amendments to citizen-led legislation providing for paid sick time and the state’s minimum wage.

Carefully-worded agreements and bonus programs are among the best tools for employers to manage compensation for sales staff.

Employers Beware: Michigan Legislature adopts ballot proposals concerning minimum wage and paid sick leave.

DOL revives practice of issuing opinion letters to employers with recent guidance addressing travel time and break periods under FMLA.

Supreme Court ruling expands interpretation of exemptions under Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employers should consider all the ramifications before taking part in the Department of Labor’s pilot PAID program.

Appellate court rejects request for special panel to review 1990s precedent under Michigan’s Wages and Fringe Benefits Act.

Appellate court forced to follow old precedent under Michigan wage law calls for conflict panel to re-examine that ruling.

Trump administration filed appeal of Texas district court’s decision in effort to preserve DOL’s right to set salary threshold for exempt employees.

Texas court strikes down Obama-era overtime rule that more than doubled the threshold salary for exempt employees.

After nine years of class action litigation and appeals, employer’s time shaving policy will cost millions in legal fees, plus an adverse jury verdict.

Structuring commissions as bonuses could help employers save significant costs under Michigan’s Sales Representative Act.

Michigan minimum wage employees get boost in pay beginning on Jan. 1.

New DOL regulations to dramatically change minimum compensation for exempt employees beginning Dec. 1.

Recent DOL case resolution a reminder to employers that failure to correctly classify individuals as independent contractors or exempt employees could result in expensive class action litigation.