Opinion ID: 2570657
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The statutory scheme contemplates enforcement by the Labor Commissioner

Text: Under the third factor, we consider whether implying a private cause of action to enforce NRS 608.160 is consistent with the purposes underlying NRS Chapter 608 and Nevada's labor laws in general. Clearly, the labor laws were enacted for the purpose of protecting Nevada employees by regulating employers' control over certain terms of employment. [14] Thus, in Alford v. Harolds Club, we approved of a federal district court's conclusion that NRS 608.160's purpose is to prevent employers from taking their employees' tips: `The evident purpose and proper interpretation of the statute is that it was enacted to prevent the taking of tips by an employer for the benefit of the employer.' [15] Although private causes of action arguably could further this purpose, other courts have recognized that implying private remedies when the state legislature has already contemplated administrative enforcement could create undesirable inconsistencies. [16] In Nevada, the Legislature has entrusted the labor laws' enforcement to the Labor Commissioner, unless otherwise specified. [17] With respect to NRS 608.160, the Legislature has expressly ordered the Labor Commissioner to enforce that statute: NRS 608.180 provides that [t]he Labor Commissioner or his representative shall cause the provisions of NRS 608.005 to 608.195, inclusive, to be enforced. The Labor Commissioner may direct the district attorney, the Deputy Labor Commissioner, the Attorney General, or special counsel to prosecute the action for enforcement according to law. [18] Violators of NRS Chapter 608 are guilty of a misdemeanor and, [i]n addition to any other remedy or penalty, subject to an administrative penalty imposed by the Labor Commissioner. [19] As other courts have recognized, when an administrative official is expressly charged with enforcing a section of laws, a private cause of action generally cannot be implied. [20] Here, the fact that the Legislature has ordered the Labor Commissioner to enforce NRS 608.160 weighs heavily against finding any intent to create a private remedy. [21]