The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently paid a visit to St. Croix and St. Thomas to investigate some reported wage issues, as well as to offer compliance assistance with regard to recovery efforts still ongoing after Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
Continue Reading U.S. Department of Labor Investigating Wage Issues in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Supreme Court Approves Use of Class-Action Waivers by Employers in Arbitration Agreements
On May 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled that employers may require employees to enter arbitration agreements that waive their rights to seek class-action claims against the employer. The split, 5-4 decision was authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, rejecting the position held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that any of these types of class-action waivers violated employees’ rights to engage in “concerted activities” with regard to terms and conditions of employment, a protection afforded by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Continue Reading Supreme Court Approves Use of Class-Action Waivers by Employers in Arbitration Agreements
Issues to Cover in Your Employee Handbook
Having an employee handbook is a great way to introduce new employees to your company and the various policies you have in place.
There are several issues you are required by law to cover in your handbook. For example, you must have family medical leave policies listed in the handbook under the Family Medical Leave
Questions You Should Never Ask a Job Applicant
Employment law doesn’t just dictate the ways you can and cannot discriminate in your business hiring practices—it also gives some guidelines about the kinds of questions you can and cannot ask job applicants. Therefore, anyone responsible for hiring for your business should familiarize themselves with some of these basic tenets of employment law to ensure
Common Examples of Wage and Hour Issues That Go to Court
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) collects about $250 million per year in back wages for American workers. These judgments come in a variety of different categories.
If you own or operate a business, it’s important to be aware of these issues and how they can affect employers. Below are some of the most common
Frequently Asked Questions on Leave and Time Off Laws
Business owners in the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the United States must have a thorough understanding of wage and time laws and regulations. Below are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive on this issue.
Do I have to provide family and medical leave as a small business owner?
Avoid These Key Mistakes When Responding to an EEOC Complaint
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal regulatory agency that exists to protect employees or job candidates from discrimination based on certain protected characteristics, including age, gender and race. There are many laws the EEOC considers when analyzing cases. Of paramount importance is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
Mapp Administration Focuses on Improving Cruise Ship Experience to Boost Tourism Industry
As tourism competition increases throughout the Caribbean, officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands are focused on improving the cruise ship experience for passengers visiting the territory to help keep tourists coming back for more.
The Ports of the Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie Task Force recently met to discuss plans to improve this experience, according
When Are Employees Required to Pay the Federal Minimum Wage?
Under federal law, employers must pay all employees a minimum hourly wage. The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour, but individual states and territories can implement their own minimum wages that are higher than the federal threshold. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the minimum wage is $9.50 per hour as of June 1,
US Labor Department Rescinds ‘Joint Employment’ Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it would rescind the standard implemented by the Obama Administration that determined when companies are considered “joint employers” of contract and franchise workers.
The decision marks the first major shift in labor policy during the Trump Administration. In its statement, the agency said it withdrew a 2016