The Labor and Employment Podcast

Jingle All the Way to January: Holiday Season Must-Dos for Employers, Part 2

Lee and Rosemary continue their conversation about essential considerations for employers as the year end approaches. Diving right in with bonuses, they emphasize the importance of clear communication regarding bonus eligibility and criteria to prevent misunderstandings. They touch on the implications of bonuses for leave and tax considerations and on the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all bonus structures. Rosemary and Lee also discuss minimum-wage changes, salary thresholds, W-2 distribution deadlines, and vacation and sick leave policies, and they suggest that it's a great time for employers to conduct a review of their payroll practices. After reminding everyone that your feedback matters, they sign off for this season. Look for new episodes early next year.

Jingle All the Way to January: Holiday Season Must-dos for Employers, Part 1

Welcome back, Rosemary! In this episode, Lee and Rosemary take their usual no-nonsense approach to the sometimes-fraught topic of the office holiday party. The conversation encompasses essential considerations for employers, like inclusivity, alternatives to traditional parties, dress codes, and tactics to manage alcohol consumption. Using the Six Ps Rule (“prior proper planning prevents poor performance”), the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining workplace standards during holiday celebrations and shares cautionary tales of past holiday party mishaps. The episode concludes with final thoughts on how to ensure a successful and safe holiday party experience for all employees.

“Forkful of Compliance: Digesting New York’s Meal Credit,” With Lee Jacobs

In this quick solo episode, Barclay Damon’s Lee Jacobs discusses the complexities of meal credit regulations in New York State. He covers the various categories of employees who might be included, and, as always, emphasizes the importance of compliance—for good communication, to foster a smoothly running workplace, and, importantly, to avoid penalties. Lee also explores the cost-benefit analysis of implementing meal credits, suggesting employers consider whether the administrative costs outweigh the savings. Lee refers again to the very important LS 54 form from the Department of Labor and closes out by asking for listeners’ valuable feedback. Stay tuned for more and . . . the return of Rosemary Enright!

“Uniform Matters: Understanding the Uniform Credit in New York,” With Lee Jacobs

In another solo episode, Barclay Damon’s Lee Jacobs lays out the intricacies of the uniform credit in New York State. Even if you’re not an employer or employee in the hospitality industry, there is a lot of important information here. Many industries, including retail and health care, require uniforms, so listen in as Lee covers the definition of uniforms, employer responsibilities regarding uniforms, reimbursement requirements, and the consequences of noncompliance with labor regulations. Lee also provides practical advice for enhancing employee morale through effective uniform policies. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode on meal credits. Want more hot labor and employment updates? Join us for Barclay Damon’s inaugural New York Labor & Employment Law Conference on October 16, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, for developments and trends in employment law, featuring Barclay Damon attorneys and our keynote speaker, Maureen Kielt, regional director of the EEOC. Register here. [https://communications.barclaydamon.com/s/c444e6a874c4c98d5d4be91b5b655b39592480d3]

“Tips From the Tip Jar: Tipping in the State of New York,” With Lee Jacobs

No mysteries here! This episode of Barclay Damon Live: Labor & Employment Podcast discusses the topic of tipping, specifically focusing on the tip credit in New York State. In a quick solo episode, Lee Jacobs explains what a tip credit is and how it affects the minimum wage for tipped employees. He also discusses the requirements for taking the tip credit, including giving notice to employees and properly documenting tip distributions. Employers and others in the hospitality industry, listen in for valuable information, and stay tuned for more. Want more hot labor and employment updates? Join us for Barclay Damon’s inaugural New York Labor & Employment Law Conference on October 16, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, for developments and trends in employment law, featuring Barclay Damon attorneys and our keynote speaker, Maureen Kielt, regional director of the EEOC. Register here [https://communications.barclaydamon.com/s/c444e6a874c4c98d5d4be91b5b655b39592480d3].