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What I've Been Reading This Week


Given that it is the summer and there is an influx of teen and young adult employees in the workplace for a couple months, I wanted to lead off this post with a note about workplace rights for these workers.  As I mention, even for those readers that are not teen or young adult employees, some of these things to keep in mind are well worth a read.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Ten Things Every Teen & Young Adult Employee Should Remember About Workplace Rights

We are well into the summer work season when high school and college age employees are in the workforce.  Donna Ballman has a great note on ten things that these workers should remember when it comes to workplace rights.  Highly relevant, even for those that are not teen or young adult employees!


Court/Department of Labor Approval May Be Needed For FLSA Wage & Hour Claim Settlements

Dan Schwartz over at The Connecticut Employment Law Blog has a well written note on an August 2015 case out of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals which suggests that federal court or the Department of Labor approval might needed for an FLSA wage & hour claim settlement.  Dan pulls a few key parts out of the court's opinion to highlight the issue.  Quick read...and well worth it.


The District of Columbia Pushes Back Vote on Work Scheduling Bill

The Washington CityPaper has an interesting note on the D.C. Council postponing a vote on legislation that would require retailers and chain stores with 40 or more venues to give their workers two weeks notice of work shifts, or risk penalties.  Apparently the vote was delayed because of "some unreadiness" to advance the bill in its current form.  If that is the case, it certainly makes sense to get all the ducks in a row before attempting to pass this legislation.  Readers might remember similar legislation working its way through the California Legislature as well.  Interesting to see how both of these pieces of legislation progress.


San Diego Voters Approve Minimum Wage Hike and Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

Earlier this month, voters in San Diego approved a ballot measure which would increase minimum wage for workers in the city along with a provision that would provide mandatory paid sick leave.  As Robin Largent notes, the new law applies to all employers, regardless of size.  This is quite a development.

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