Authored by Cheryl Luce

Seyfarth Synopsis: Tipped workers who didn’t receive notice of the tip credit get a win under New York state minimum wage law in a case that echoes technical traps we have seen in FLSA decisions.

Throughout the year, we have been covering cases that show how the FLSA has been construed by courts as “remedial

Continue Reading Extra Credit: Franchise Restaurant Workers Clear Path to Massive Payout on Technicality Under New York Law

Seyfarth Synopsis: The New York Court of Appeals recently rejected the narrow view of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board and found that substantial evidence did not support a finding that certain yoga instructors were misclassified as independent contractors.

Co-authored by Robert S. Whitman and Howard M. Wexler

As wage and hour “gurus” are aware, the “mantra” of most federal and
Continue Reading New York’s Highest Court: No “Stretch” in Yogi’s Independent Contractor Classification

Authored by Rob Whitman

Seyfarth Synopsis: Unpaid interns for Hearst magazines have been rebuffed again in their effort to be declared eligible to receive wages under the FLSA and the New York Labor Law.

In an August 24, 2016 ruling, Judge J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York held that six interns, who worked for Marie
Continue Reading In Final Exam, Court Rejects Hearst Interns’ Pay Claims

Co-authored by Kat Jugo and Kevin Young

The lawyers in our readership are quite familiar with the fact that, as a general matter, practicing attorneys are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA. But does that exempt status change when an attorney is retained only to review and flag documents? No it does not, per a decision issued last
Continue Reading Nothing New for Doc Review: Federal Court Rules That Doc Review Attorney, Like Other Practicing Lawyers, is Exempt

Co-authored by Robert S. Whitman and Howard M. Wexler

Expert witness fees are not recoverable under the FLSA. So held the Second Circuit in a decision that highlights a strategy we have previously discussed for employers to fend off class/collective actions.

In Gortat v. Capala Brothers, Inc., the plaintiffs alleged that they were denied wages, including overtime compensation, throughout
Continue Reading No Fees For You: Second Circuit Holds Expert Fees Are Not Recoverable Under FLSA

Co-authored by Robert S. Whitman and Howard M. Wexler

With Wimbledon in full swing, and the U.S. Open just a few weeks away, the Second Circuit awarded game, set and match to the U.S. Tennis Association in a challenge to the independent contractor status of the tournament’s umpires. In Meyer v. USTA, which we previously wrote about here,
Continue Reading USTA Aces Misclassification Case Before Second Circuit