Primer for Nonprofits on Paid Employees, Volunteers, and Interns
Taking a “commonsense” approach, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held that volunteers’ mere receipt of certain “perks” does not convert them to employees under the FLSA. In Adams v. Palm Beach County (11th...more
The California Court of Appeal has definitively resolved an issue that was until now somewhat ambiguous: Can volunteers in fact volunteer their time for nonprofit organizations without receiving pay or other forms of...more
The questions and answers below highlight labor and employment topics as they relate to nonprofit organizations. Classifying Your Staff - What is the difference between a paid employee and an unpaid volunteer? Under...more
The line between lawful and unlawful unpaid work is not always clear. Many companies are contacted by people offering to work on a voluntary basis. It is often pitched as a “win-win” because the person is willing to work...more
Does the adage “no good deed goes unpunished” apply to employers that fail to pay wages to hourly employees during volunteer events? Not necessarily, according to a recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Opinion Letter....more
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued three new opinion letters on March 14, 2019. ...more
Even as FLSA litigation has surged to historic highs, it is rare to see a nefarious violation of the Act by a manager or supervisor. Far more prevalent, it seems, are stories of managers who, while intending to afford...more
In the wake of Houston’s recent flooding, countless businesses closed their doors, and many individuals are coping with homes in disrepair. Texas employers wondering whether they must pay workers for lost time during...more
When is an unpaid volunteer considered an “employee” and thus able to sue for discrimination or retaliation under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (“CFEPA”)? The answer: when the volunteer receives remuneration...more