Thursday, August 10, 2006

Massachusetts Passes New Minimum Wage

The Massachusetts Legislature passed H. 4781 unanimous on July 31, overriding Gov. Mitt Romney's July 28 veto.

This new minimum wage law that will increase the current rate of $6.75 to $7.50 on Jan. 1, 2007, then to $8 on Jan. 1, 2008. The increase will make Massachusetts the state with the highest minimum wage in the country.

However, study shows that even at $8 an hour, the minimum wage is not enough to afford a family in Massachusetts, where a family of four must earn at least $40,000 per year in order to afford housing, child care and utilities.

The last increase was in 2001.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

BMW Paid $630,000 in Overtime Back Wages

Greer-based BMW Manufacturing Co. has agreed to pay nearly $630,000 in overtime back wages to 1,224 workers to resolve violations of FLSA overtime requirements.

BMW was found failed to pay employees for the time they spent donning and taking off required personal protective garb before clocking in and after clocking out of work.

Under the requirement of FLSA, employers should pay covered employees at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a week.

Spokeswoman for the Greer plant said checks for the computed back pay would be sent to affected employees and former employees within 90 days.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Fox News Settles Sexual Harassment Suit

Fox News Channel has agreed to settle a lawsuit with four women who claimed that a vice president sexually harassed them.

The women alleged Joe Chillemi, vice president in the advertising and promotions department, used demeaning words to describe women, including women who were pregnant.

On behalf the plaintiffs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has submitted the settlement for approval in Manhattan federal court, including a total payout of $225,000 for the women.

The settlement also requires FNC to stake steps to provide further training on sexual harassment to its employees.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.