Wage And Hour Issues Employers Should Consider When The Snow Falls

Winter is upon us in the tri-state area, we've already been hit with quite a snowstorm and we're undoubtedly due for more as we head further into our coldest season. Although many employers have policies addressing inclement weather, some do not, and there are a few weather-related wage and hour issues that often get overlooked. Before having to shovel yourself out of a pile of something other than snow, familiarize yourself with some of your key obligations to employees during severe snowfall.

Many states, including New York and some surrounding states, have "reporting pay" obligations. In New York, for example, if a non-hospitality industry employer requests or permits a nonexempt employee to report for work on any given day, the employer must pay the employee for a minimum of four hours of work or for the employee's entire shift, whichever is less, at no less than the standard minimum wage. The employer must pay reporting pay regardless of whether the employee