In a recent blog post, we discussed the legal issues associated with employer use of payroll debit cards in lieu of printed paychecks. We concluded that because of the lack of federal and state regulatory guidance on the issue, it was unclear whether employers could elect to pay wages exclusively through payroll debit cards.

Last week, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued Bulletin 2013-10 (pdf) on the subject of payroll card accounts.
Continue Reading CFPB Weighs in on Employer Use of Payroll Cards

Recently, the practice of paying employees via payroll debit cards came under fire when an employee filed a class action lawsuit against her employer, a McDonalds’ franchisee, alleging that payment of wages via a Chase Payroll Card violated the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law (“PWPCL”). The employee claimed that the card’s fees cut into her wages, potentially bringing her pay below minimum wage, and that she and other class members were not being “paid in lawful money” as required by the PWPCL. The case currently is pending in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

As demonstrated by the lawsuit recently filed in Luzerne County, it remains unclear whether the use of such cards complies with Pennsylvania law.
Continue Reading Taking the Check Out of Paycheck: The Legality of Payroll Debit Cards

Given the increase in major weather events that have affected Pennsylvania recently, including high winds and substantial flooding, employers should consider the following issues that may arise when closings, delays, and absences are caused by inclement weather.

Must employees be paid when the business is closed because of inclement weather?
Continue Reading What Employers Should Know About Weather Related Absences

Recently, Michael L. Hund, Esq. and Salvatore J. Bauccio, Esq. from McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Business Counseling Group developed a White Paper entitled: Equity Incentive Plans: Compensating Key Employees with Equity, Options and Equity Appreciation Awards (PDF). The White Paper provides an excellent summary of different methods that organizations can use to compensate and reward

This post was contributed by Brett E. Younkin, Esq., an Associate and a member of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Labor and Employment Practice Group in Columbus, Ohio.

The receipt of a federal lawsuit is generally viewed as a bad day for any employer; seeing that a plaintiff is seeking class action status on

A recent decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals allows employers to breathe a sigh of relief. In Noel v. Boeing Co. (pdf), the court concluded that an otherwise untimely discrimination claim, alleging that the employer discriminated against an employee by failing to promote the employee, is not rendered timely by the Ledbetter

Reductions in Force, Layoffs, Downsizing, Rightsizing or whatever you may call it is occurring with greater frequency as the economic conditions continue to deteriorate. The business objects are reducing costs, preserving talent, treating separated employee with compassion and avoiding litigation. The compassion and litigation avoidance may go hand in glove.

The most prevalent litigation avoidance strategy