Tough to narrow things down this week as I came across quite a few articles worth pointing out this week. Perhaps one of the more thought provoking articles comes from The New York Times in which the growing split in many workplaces (between full time and temp/contract workers) has become a glaring problem for some employers. Using Google as an example, the article takes a look at how temp/contract workers are starting to fight for better pay, benefits, and time off (traditionally only provided to full time workers.)
As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.
To Pay or Not Pay Summer Interns: The Age Old Adage
Matt Durham recently wrote an article which addressed the situation that confronts many employers this time of the year: Should their interns be paid? While this is often a rather complicated question, Matt does a good job breaking down the 7 key factors that courts look at when determining whether an intern should be entitled to compensation. Although every situation is different, this article serves as a good refresher for those looking for a bit of guidance on the topic.
Tipped Workers & the Proper Pay Rate
Many employers inevitably run across a situation in which they employ a worker that receives tips. As a result, the employer can pay these workers a tipped wage (often $2.13/hour in many states.) While this tipped wage is lower than the minimum wage rate, often these employees earn a great deal more in tips from customers. However, questions arise about what an employer must do when the employee earns less than the minimum wage rate (calculated as the tipped wage plus tips) or the employee qualifies for overtime. Brett Holubeck at The Texas Labor Law Blog provides insight for employers in this instance that is well worth a read for employers and employees alike.
Employer Issued Fitness Trackers & An Employee's Right to Privacy
It seems like within the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of employers that issue their employees fitness trackers to monitor fitness activity and sleep patterns of the employees. The question often arises over whether these employees have a right of privacy that would prohibit employers from requiring their employees to wear the fitness trackers. (While the U.S. Supreme court has seemed to suggest that employees lack any reasonable expectation of privacy with employer provided technological equipment, such as fitness trackers, it appears some states such as Illinois have started to lean the other direction.) I suggest readers give this article from Lariza Hebert a read for an in depth discussion and analysis of the matter.
Google, Full Time Workers, Temp Workers, & the Fissured Workplace
Earlier this year, Google was reported to have approximately 102,000 full time workers compared to roughly 121,000 temp and contractors working for it around the world. This has started to draw attention to the company, as the temp and contract workers have been reported to make less money, have different benefit plans, and receive no paid vacation time compared to Google's full time workers. One observer, former administrator of President Barack Obama Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division, David Weil, has characterized this as a fissured workplace. (The fissured workplace refers to the arrangements in which businesses have started to avoid paying payroll taxes, providing benefits, and other "perks" of employment by utilizing a large scale temp/contract workforce.) With that being said, Daisuke Wakabayashi at The New York Times noted that several of Google's contractors have attempted to claw back, recently getting Google to require its contractors be provided health benefits, a $15/hour minimum wage, and paid parental leave. Although this is just a start, this should be viewed as a major victory for temp/contract workers across the board.
McDonald's Faces Onslaught of Pressure From 2020 Presidential Candidates
In recent weeks, more than two dozen sexual harassment charges have been levied against McDonald's. On the heels of these sexual harassment charges came protests from the company's workers as they demanded better wages, better working conditions, and the right to form a union. In fact, last week, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (running for the Democratic nomination for President), held a video town hall discussion with these protesting workers in which he lauded their ongoing fight with McDonald's. Senator Sanders is not alone in his support of these workers, as other Democratic Presidential candidates including New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro have all lent their support to efforts by these workers to obtain better working conditions. As the 2020 Presidential race heats up and both Republicans and Democrats fight for the working class vote, I would expect to see additional attention paid to this and other similar fights against large scale employers like McDonald's.
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