Ways of Avoiding Wage Problems

Here are some of the common trouble spots for employers under the FLSA or state wage and hour laws:Thinking that simply calling an employee by a managerial title warrants an exemption.Categorizing an employee as exempt because he or she does some exempt-type duties, but not as a primary part of the job.Forgetting to check the exemption requirements under state law.Docking salaried employees for partial-day absences-a mistake that will cost their exemption.How to Avoid Future ProblemsKnow both FLSA and state rules on exemptions.Don't try to force an exempt classification on employees who don't meet every qualification.Conduct a self-audit, and in doing so, have employees describe how they spend most of their workdays.Review pay policies to ensure that your company doesn't allow for partial-day deductions for salaried employees.Make sure formal job descriptions match actual jobs. Review and update job descriptions periodically. Workforce, October 2001, p. 40