labor lawAdivision of labor law center

On July 24, 2009 the federal minimum wage increased 70 cents from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour. This increase will affect many, but not all, employees in Arkansas.

The Arkansas minimum wage remains at $6.25 per hour. Employers should update both their Arkansas and federal minimum wage posters, if necessary.

When both the federal and Arkansas minimum wage apply to an employee, the employee is entitled to protection under whichever confers the greater benefit. In this case, an employee covered by both the Arkansas and federal minimum wage is entitled to the higher federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

The federal minimum wage does not cover every Arkansas employee. The federal minimum wage and overtime law is the FLSA or Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA applies to every employee of a business with $500,000 or more in annual revenue.

In addition, individual employees (more…)

The US Department of Labor recently announced community-based worker training grants for Arkansas totaling just under $3.5 million. The President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative awarded $125 million to 69 community colleges across the United States.

The competition was announced in August of 2007, and received 341 applications. The funds go to training facilities and community colleges to aid workers in competing for high-growth industry jobs.

The two Arkansas grants go to (more…)

The July 24, 2008 federal minimum wage increase affects employers in a number of states. Under the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, the federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour.

This increase affects most employers in states where the state minimum wage is lower than the new federal rate. Under federal law, when an employee is covered by both state and federal law, the employee is entitled to coverage under whichever law provides the greater benefit.

This means that if (more…)

 The US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration or EBSA has extended the filing deadlines for employer sin a number of states affected by severe weather. Employers should note that the extensions apply only to operations affected by the weather, in regions that have been declared disaster areas by President Bush. Other employers in the areas must file as usual.

The extensions apply to Form 5500 or Form 5500 EZ employer tax documents. Employers should check Part I on Form 5500 or Part 1 on Form 5500 EZ, and attach a statement.

The extensions affect plan administrators, employers and others who regularly file Form 5500.

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