Back to the Drawing Board: the Trump Labor Department Seeks Public Comment on FLSA Overtime Exemption Regulations
September 5th, 2017
On July 26, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor opened a 60-day public comment period aimed at obtaining information to assist it in formulating new proposed revisions to the Fair…
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Employer Groups Win Texas Lawsuit Against Obama Administration’s Revised Overtime Rule
September 5th, 2017
Contributor: Karen Kruse
During the Obama administration, the minimum salary needed for the federal “white collar” overtime exemptions was to increase more than 200% on December 1, 2016. See our original post on…
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Washington Supreme Court Decides Two Meal Period Issues
June 20th, 2017
Contributor: Karen Kruse
A 1976 Washington State regulation establishes separate meal period and rest period requirements for non‑exempt employees. WAC 296-126-092. Despite being on the books for more than 40 years, break issues…
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A Multi-Million Dollar Question: Do Your Employees Receive Legally Sufficient Meal and Rest Breaks?
March 29th, 2017
Contributor: Karen Kruse
A Washington appellate court recently affirmed a trial court’s award of at least $5.3 million in damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief to a class of nearly 500 employees who…
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Washington Supreme Court Rules that Employer Decision Makers Can Be Held Personally Liable for Wages that Would Not Have Been Due Until After a Bankruptcy Filing
February 4th, 2017
Contributor: Karen Kruse
An employee wage claim filed in federal court presented two questions of Washington state law that the federal judge decided to certify to the state supreme court for authoritative answers:…
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As Leaves Fall, Wage Rates Set to Rise: Part II
October 5th, 2016
Washington Minimum Wage to Reach at Least $9.53 per Hour
Effective January 1, 2017*
(*See Update at the end of this post.)
Employers who have Washington employees need to plan…
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As Leaves Fall, Wage Rates Set to Rise: Part I of II
October 4th, 2016
Contributor: Karen Kruse
Fair Labor Standards Act —
Minimum Exempt Salary Level Set to Increase on December 1, 2016*
(*See “Update” at the end of this post.)
Employers who have Washington employees need…
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About Karen Kruse
Attorney Karen Kruse has dedicated her professional career to helping employers prevent or resolve workplace issues. She has been privileged to work with all types of businesses and organizations, from the smallest enterprises, owned by individuals or families, to mid-sized regional organizations, to large national or multi‑national corporations. She has served clients in all economic sectors (private, nonprofit and public)…