Source: https://minnesotaemployer.com/tag/mcw/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 09:43:28+00:00

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On August 31, 2016, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued an order agreeing with the Minneapolis City Attorney that a ballot initiative could not be used to enact a new minimum wage in the City of Minneapolis.
In late July of this year, the Minneapolis City Attorney issued a legal opinion that concluded that a petition with 20,000 signatures in support of a ballot initiative to amend the City Charter to include a $15 minimum wage was not a proper subject for a ballot initiative. Following the City Attorney’s advice, the City Council agreed not to include the ballot initiative on the ballot for the upcoming election in November. Labor activists then challenged the City’s position in Hennepin County District Court. Last week, the district court disagreed with the City and ruled that the $15 minimum wage should be included on the ballot in this November’s election. The City appealed the district court’s decision.
On appeal, the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed the district court and sided with the City. The Court reasoned that city charters may or may not provide for the enactment of an ordinance through the ballot initiative and that the Minneapolis City Charter does “not authorize the proposed charter amendment.” Vasseur et al. v. City of Minneapolis, et al., No. A16-1367 (Minn. Aug. 31, 2016).
Takeaway: The $15 minimum wage ballot initiative for the City of Minneapolis will not appear on the ballot this November.
Do Employees Need to Have Final Hiring and Firing Authority to Qualify for the FLSA’s Executive Exemption?
Not necessarily – a recent decision from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals illustrates that employees may qualify for the executive exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) even if they do not have final authority over hiring and firing decisions.
In Garrison v. ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC, the issue before the court was whether the plaintiffs’ recommendations relating to hiring and firing decisions were given sufficient weight to qualify for the executive exemption. Nos. 15-1177, 15-1428 (8th Cir. Aug. 15, 2016). It was undisputed that the other requirements of the executive exemption were satisfied.
The plaintiffs recommended discipline for employees and management followed those recommendations most, if not all, of the time.
Because the Eighth Circuit agreed that the plaintiffs’ recommendations concerning hiring and firing decisions were given particular weight, the court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the employer on the grounds that the employees were exempt from the FLSA.
Takeaway: Employees may qualify for the FLSA’s executive exemption even if they do not have final authority over hiring and firing decisions, provided that their recommendations concerning hiring and firing are given particular weight.
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Employers can use nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, and commissions to satisfy up to 10% (or $91.30 per week) of the new $913 per week salary requirement for exempt employees.
To qualify, the nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, or commissions must be paid quarterly or more frequently.
Because the employer can only take credit for up to 10% of the $913 per week salary requirement, the employer still must pay affected employees a minimum of $821.70 per week to ensure the salary basis requirements are satisfied.
If by the last pay period of the quarter, the employee’s salary plus his or her nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, or commissions do not equal at least 13 times the weekly salary requirement (or $11,869), the employer may make one final “catch-up” payment sufficient to achieve the required amount.
Any catch-up payment made by an employer must be paid no later than the next pay period after the end of the quarter and must count only toward the prior quarter’s salary amount (not toward the salary amount for the quarter in which it was paid).
Takeaway: Employers may use nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, and commissions to satisfy up to 10% of the FLSA’s salary basis requirements for exempt employees, provided that they follow the above-listed rules.
The NFL’s 2014 punishment of Adrian Peterson has been a rollercoaster ride. After a district court vacated the punishment, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has now reinstated it.
The NFL suspended Peterson and fined him the equivalent of six games worth of pay after he entered a plea of no contest in November 2014 to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault against one of his children. Peterson challenged the punishment under the NFL Players Association’s collective bargaining agreement, but an arbitrator initially upheld the punishment as valid.
Next, Peterson challenged the decision in federal court. Because federal courts are generally very deferential to arbitration decisions, Peterson had a difficult legal standard to meet to vacate the decision. However, in February of 2015, the district court agreed with Peterson and vacated the punishment on the grounds that: (i) the punishment violated the collective bargaining agreement because it applied a new NFL personal conduct policy retroactively in violation of a previous decision regarding Ray Rice; and (ii) the arbitrator exceeded his authority by considering whether the punishment could be sustained under the NFL’s previous personal conduct policy. The NFL then appealed the district court’s order to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals.
In National Football League Players Association v. National Football League, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court and reinstated the NFL’s punishment of Peterson as valid. No. 15-1438 (8th Cir. August 4, 2016). In reaching this decision, the court first reasoned that the district court’s disagreement with the arbitrator’s conclusion regarding retroactive application of the new NFL policy was not a valid basis to vacate the arbitrator’s decision. Rather, the arbitrator’s decision needed to be upheld so long as the arbitrator was “at least arguably construing or applying the contract, including the law of the shop.” Because the arbitrator “undoubtedly construed” the previous Ray Rice decision, the Eighth Circuit held that this requirement was satisfied and that the arbitrator’s decision on the issue should not be second-guessed by the courts.
The Eighth Circuit also disagreed that the arbitrator exceeded his authority by considering whether the discipline could be upheld under the NFL’s old personal conduct policy. With respect to this issue, the NFL Players Association argued that the only question presented to the arbitrator was whether the NFL could retroactively apply its new policy to Peterson. The Eighth Circuit pointed out, however, that the NFL characterized the issue more broadly as “Is the discipline appropriate?” The NFL Players Association also raised arguments during the arbitration concerning whether the discipline was permitted under the NFL’s old policy. As a result, the Eighth Circuit concluded that the arbitrator was at least arguably acting within the scope of his authority when he considered the previous policy, so that his decision must be upheld.
Takeaway: The Eighth Circuit’s decision concerning Adrian Peterson is a reminder that courts are very deferential to arbitration decisions and that it is generally difficult to vacate an arbitration decision in federal court.
Can Minneapolis Voters Raise The Minimum Wage By Ballot Initiative?
No – the Minneapolis City Attorney recently published a legal opinion stating that a ballot initiative cannot be used to enact a new minimum wage in the City of Minneapolis.
In June of 2016, a group called 15 Now Minnesota submitted a petition with 20,000 signatures to the City of Minneapolis. The petition sought to include a ballot initiative in the upcoming November election, which would amend the Minneapolis City Charter to increase the minimum wage. The proposed amendment would have gradually raised the minimum wage in Minneapolis over time so that it would reach $15.00 per hour by August of 2022.
On July 28, 2016, the Minneapolis City Attorney issued a legal opinion that concluded that the proposed amendment to the city charter was not a proper subject for a ballot initiative. The City Attorney reasoned that, under Minnesota law, city charters may only be used for the “establishment, administration or regulation of city government.” See Minn. Stat. § 410.07. In contrast to a charter amendment governing the administration of city government, a legislative ordinance may only be implemented through ballot initiative if specifically authorized by the city charter. See Minn. Stat. § 410.20.
Takeaway: The 20,000 signature petition seeking to amend the Minneapolis City Charter to increase the minimum wage is likely not a valid means of enacting a higher minimum wage within the City of Minneapolis.
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When is an Employer a “Successor Employer” or a “Perfectly Clear Successor Employer”?
Successor Employers: A “successor employer” is a new employer that continues its predecessor’s business in substantially unchanged form and hires employees of the predecessor as a majority of its workforce. An employer who qualifies as a successor employer has an obligation to bargain with the union that represented the employees while they were employed by the predecessor. Because it is not usually evident whether the union will retain majority status in the new workforce, however, the duty to bargain with the union does not normally arise until after the successor establishes the initial terms and conditions of employment. This means that a new employer who is merely a “successor employer” typically has an opportunity to change the terms and conditions of employment before the duty to bargain with the union arises.
Perfectly Clear Successor Employers: If it is “perfectly clear” that a new employer will retain all of the employees of the bargaining unit, the obligation to bargain with the union may arise before the new employer sets the initial terms and conditions of employment. A new employer is deemed to be a “perfectly clear successor employer” if it has either: (i) actively or, by tacit inference, misled employees into believing they would all be retained without change in their wages, hours, or conditions of employment; or (ii) failed to clearly announce its intent to establish a new set of conditions of employment prior to inviting former employees to accept employment. Thus, to avoid becoming a perfectly clear successor employer, the new employer must clearly announce its intent to establish a new set of conditions prior to, or simultaneously with, its expression of intent to retain the predecessor’s employees.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) discussed these two concepts in detail in its recent decision in Nexeo Solutions, LLC, 364 NLRB No. 44 (July 18, 2016). In Nexeo Solutions, LLC, the NLRB held that the new employer was a “perfectly clear successor employer” because it informed the predecessor’s bargaining unit employees that they would be transferred to the new business, and then, a day later, advised them that they would be retained with equivalent salaries and benefits comparable to those provided by the predecessor. The new employer did not announce an intent to change the terms and conditions of employment until three months after these initial communications were made. Because of the initial communications, the NLRB reasoned that the union’s majority status in the new work force was “essentially guaranteed,” and the new employer was a perfectly clear successor who had a duty to bargain before imposing new conditions of employment.
Takeaway: To avoid becoming a “perfectly clear successor employer,” an employer involved in an acquisition should clearly announce its intent to establish a new set of terms and conditions of employment for the acquired workforce prior to, or simultaneously with, its expression of intent to retain the predecessor’s employees.
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Threats: Employers may violate the NLRA if they make threats against employees who support unions or unionization efforts. Impermissible threats may take a variety of forms, such as threatening to close a facility, to cut employees’ pay, or to fire employees.
Interrogation: Employers may violate the NLRA if they interrogate employees about union activities or unionization efforts. For example, employers should not ask employees which of their co-workers are union sympathizers or whether they are voting in support of the union.
Promises: Employers may violate the NLRA if they promise benefits to employees who oppose a union. For example, an employer should not offer a one-time bonus to any employee who votes against a union.
Surveillance/Spying: Employers may violate the NLRA if they spy on employees or conduct surveillance regarding the employees’ union activities. For example, employers should not attempt to record employee meetings about forming a union or photograph employees who are engaging in union activity.
Takeaway: Employers can reduce the risk of unfair labor practice charges by following these T.I.P.S.
Does an Employer Need to Obtain a Judgment on the Merits to Recover Attorneys’ Fees Under Title VII?
No – the U.S. Supreme Court recently held that a defendant need not obtain a favorable ruling on the merits to recover attorneys’ fees under Title VII.
Title VII provides that district court has discretion to award a “prevailing party” reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in litigation arising under the statute. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(k). In CRST Van Expedited, Inc. v. EEOC, the Supreme Court addressed the question of whether a “prevailing party” must obtain a favorable ruling on the merits to recover attorneys’ fees or whether a non-merits-based favorable ruling may suffice. No. 14–1375 (May 19, 2016).
The defendant, of course, might prefer a judgment vindicating its position regarding the substantive merits of the plaintiff ’s allegations. The defendant has, however, fulfilled its primary objective whenever the plaintiff ’s challenge is rebuffed, irrespective of the precise reason for the court’s decision. The defendant may prevail even if the court’s final judgment rejects the plaintiff ’s claim for a nonmerits reason.
The Court noted that one purpose of the fee-shifting provision was to deter litigation that was “frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless” and requiring a merits-based determination could undermine this objective. For example, litigation might be frivolous if it was barred by non-merits-based determinations, such as state sovereign immunity or mootness.
Takeaway: A defendant need not obtain a favorable ruling on the merits to recover attorneys’ fees as the prevailing party under Title VII.
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Don’t tell subordinate employees that “I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago” and that “sometimes problems are easier to solve” that way.
Don’t ask a female (or male) employee to turn around so that you can ogle her posterior.
Don’t comment that certain outfits enhance an employee’s figure and urge her to wear those outfits every day.
Don’t boast to others that you always stay seated when a woman walks over so that she has to “bend over” to say hello.
Takeaway: Whether these allegations are true are not, they are good examples of the kinds of behavior that employers, managers, and employees should avoid in the workplace to reduce the risk of liability.
Last week, the President of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, Matt Kramer, published a public letter in opposition to the proposed “earned sick and safe time ordinance” under consideration by the St. Paul City Council. The ordinance currently under consideration in St. Paul is similar in many respects to the ordinance recently passed in Minneapolis.
The letter asserts that the proposed ordinance is based on “little data,” “driven by emotion,” and will likely be implemented “with little calculation as to the multi-million dollar impact this will have on the business community.” The letter strongly questions the asserted public health benefits of the proposed ordinance. It notes that there is no available data that shows a correlation between paid sick leave and public health. The letter also discusses the negative impact that the ordinance will likely have on small employers and raises various other concerns with the proposed ordinance. A copy of the letter is available here.
Takeaway: Despite opposition from the business community, the St. Paul City Council is expected to pass a paid sick leave ordinance similar to the one recently adopted in Minneapolis in the near future.
Can a Driver Who Does Not Satisfy DOT Standards Win an ADA Claim?
No – the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that a driver who does not satisfy the requirements for commercial drivers established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is a not a qualified individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In Williams v. J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc., the plaintiff was a commercial truck driver who fainted at his home one day and was later diagnosed with syncope and an irregular heartbeat. No. 15-20610 (5th Cir. June 20, 2016). Following this diagnosis, the plaintiff’s DOT medical certification was rescinded. In response, the employer sent a letter to the plaintiff requesting more information and a return-to-work date. The plaintiff never provided this information. After the plaintiff’s medical leave expired, the employer terminated his employment, and the plaintiff sued for alleged violation of the ADA.
Takeaway: Employees who are not qualified to perform the essential functions of their jobs, such as complying federal DOT regulations, with or without accommodation, are generally not able to bring successful ADA claims.
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The 7th Circuit recently disagreed with other federal courts of appeals and sided with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by holding that class-waiver provisions in arbitration agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The ruling creates a circuit split that can only be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Whether arbitration agreements with class-waiver provisions violate the NLRA has been sharply disputed. The NLRB has consistently held that such limitations on an employee’s ability to file a class or collective action violate the NLRA, even in the face of federal judicial decisions holding otherwise. The majority of other circuit courts that have addressed the issue have rejected the NLRA’s reasoning. See e.g., Murphy Oil USA, Inc. v. NLRB, 808 F.3d 1013, 1018 (5th Cir. 2015); Sutherland v. Ernst & Young LLP, 726 F.3d 290, 297 n.8 (2d Cir. 2013); Owen v. Bristol Care, Inc., 702 F.3d 1050, 1052–54 (8th Cir. 2013).
The 7th Circuit’s decision in Lewis v. Epic Systems Corporation is a departure from the approach taken by other federal circuit courts. No. 15-2997 (7th Cir. May 26, 2016). In Lewis, the 7th Circuit based its decision on Section 7 of the NLRA, which protects the rights of employees to engage in “concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection . . . .” 29 U.S.C. § 157. The court held that Section 7 protects the rights of employees to engage in class, representative, and collective legal proceedings because Congress was aware of those procedures when it enacted the NLRA and because “[t]he plain language of Section 7 encompasses them . . . .” Since the arbitration agreement did not permit employees to utilize class or collective procedures, the court concluded that the agreement violated the NLRA and was not enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act.
Takeaway: The 7th Circuit’s decision in Lewis provides support for the NLRB’s continued efforts to challenge class-waiver arbitration agreements, and it creates a circuit split regarding the enforceability of those agreements.

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