As the dog days of summer settle in, most statehouses have closed up shop. Legislatures in approximately 12 states remain in regular session, however, with a couple more active in special session.
Consistent with a major theme of the 2016 election cycle, equal pay and similar wage proposals dominated the attention of state legislatures in the first half of 2017.
As employers across the county await action from federal labor officials concerning the currently-enjoined white collar salary rule, state measures increasing exempt employee pay continue to move through state legislative houses.
On June 27, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it has reinstated the issuance of Opinion Letters by its Wage & Hour Division and unveiled a new website to guide employers and employees in requesting an Opinion Letter.
On June 14, 2017, Delaware Governor John Carney signed a new law to address the pay gap between men and women by prohibiting prospective employers from asking job applicants about their salary history.
On June 7, 2017, a plaintiff brought a putative class and collective action for alleged wage and hour law violations. Some claims are based on a DOL overtime rule that was enjoined and never took effect.
