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
Common Sense Strategies to Help Avoid Business Litigation
Just about all successful businesses will find themselves involved in a lawsuit at some point. However, there are many strategies you can employ to help you avoid unnecessary legal disputes and minimize the risks you face. This will help you save money and maintain your focus on your business rather than ongoing litigation.
Here are
How to Establish a Strong Harassment Policy in Your Company
Workplace harassment is something we continue to hear more and more about these days. From the #MeToo movement, to the widespread allegations of misconduct in Hollywood, to workplace lawsuits receiving national attention, people are fighting back against their harassers in a very public way.
As people continue to identify and fight back against harassment, it’s
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
Department of Labor Unable to Act Against Employers to Fail to Make Unemployment Insurance Payments
Officials from the Department of Labor recently told lawmakers in the U.S. Virgin Islands that understaffing in the DOL has prevented the department from pursuing legal action against employers who have failed to make their unemployment insurance payments. These delayed and missing payments have, in turn, delayed the payment of benefits to newly unemployed citizens.
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
An Overview of Tax Relief Opportunities for Hurricane Victims
For those who have lost a significant amount of property due to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, there is some good news. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers tax relief to victims of these major storms.
The agency recently outlined these relief opportunities, making them available to victims of the hurricanes that
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?