Wage & Hour | Perkins Coie

Companies are facing increasing numbers of wage and hour lawsuits including actions pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well state wage and hour claims, which can include those by independent contractors who allege that they are employees.

Companies are facing increasing numbers of wage and hour lawsuits including actions pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well state wage and hour claims, which can include those by independent contractors who allege that they are employees.

Perkins Coie’s Wage & Hour attorneys work closely with clients to develop an efficient strategy to address these challenges. We have litigated class and collective actions in both state and federal courts. Our attorneys regularly handle nationwide collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as class, collective, and representative actions brought under state laws such as California’s Private Attorneys’ General Act (PAGA).

Bringing to bear both breadth and depth of experience, we handle a range of claims including alleged employee misclassification, meal and rest break, recordkeeping, timekeeping procedures, off-the-clock work, and failure to pay. We have defeated countless class certifications, negotiated favorable settlements, and have prevailed at trial. Our attorneys also counsel clients on wage and hour issues and review company procedures.

Perkins Coie’s Wage & Hour attorneys work closely with clients to develop an efficient strategy to address these challenges. We have litigated class and collective actions in both state and federal courts. Our attorneys regularly handle nationwide collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as class, collective, and representative actions brought under state laws such as California’s Private Attorneys’ General Act (PAGA).

Bringing to bear both breadth and depth of experience, we handle a range of claims including alleged employee misclassification, meal and rest break, recordkeeping, timekeeping procedures, off-the-clock work, and failure to pay. We have defeated countless class certifications, negotiated favorable settlements, and have prevailed at trial. Our attorneys also counsel clients on wage and hour issues and review company procedures.

Wage & Hour Developments Blog

Our blog is a one-stop resource for federal and state updates and analysis on issues related to wage-and-hour developments affecting employers.

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Time To Update Arbitration Agreements—Mandatory Arbitration Is Again Permissible in California

California employers with employees and job applicants subject to the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) can once again require such individuals to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment.

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Recent Large Government Settlements Reflect Unique Risks to Employers for Antitrust Violations

Employers who share information with competitor employers about employee compensation, including wages and benefits, face greater risks of government investigations into violations of antitrust laws.

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CA Court Confirms Employers Must Timely Pay and Report Meal Period Premiums or Face Additional Penalties

On May 23, 2022, the California Supreme Court issued a seminal opinion in Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc., which found that employees can recover penalties for failure to timely pay wages at termination and failure to provide accurate itemized wage statements based on untimely paid or unreported meal and rest period premiums.

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No More Free Flights: Employee Travel Time Is Now Compensable Under Washington Law

In Port of Tacoma v. Sacks, the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington recently held that all out-of-town employee travel time is compensable under state law.

ESD Audits: What They Are, How to Prepare, and Best Practices for Employers

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) audits records of employers located in Washington to confirm that wages and hours are accurately reported and to ensure compliance with the state’s unemployment insurance laws and rules.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Questions Answered

With the surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, many employers are considering whether to require employees to be vaccinated, how to encourage employee vaccinations, and the implications of vaccine policies for their businesses.

New Overtime Requirements for Washington Agricultural Workers

In response to last year’s groundbreaking decision by the Washington State Supreme Court in Martinez-Cuevas v. DeRuyter Bros. Dairy, Inc.,[1] the state legislature recently passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5172 (SB5172),[2] amending the state’s Minimum Wage Act (MWA) as it relates to agricultural workers and adopting a phased approach for imposing overtime requirements on agricultural employers.

US Department of Labor Announces Final Rule Regarding Independent Contractors

The Department of Labor announced in May 2021 that it was withdrawing the rule called “Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.” As anticipated, the Biden administration rescinded this Trump-era rule.

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US Department of Labor Issues Highly Anticipated Cybersecurity Guidance for ERISA Plans

On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor released three-part guidance on cybersecurity issues for employee benefit plans, marking its first significant commentary on the issue since its comprehensive but nonbinding report in late 2016.