"If there's only one compliance issue you pay attention to this year, please make it wage and hour," Hunter Lott, director of PleaseSueMe.com, advised SHRM '09 conference attendees on Monday. An at-a-glance list of his compliance tips:
* Go to DOL.gov and look up treatment for exempt vs. nonexempt employees. And don't worry about having to download and read reams of material: "
* Unauthorized overtime work must be paid. Although pros can change their employee handbooks to say, "Overtime must be approved. Unathorized overtime may lead to disciplinary action, including termination." Lott said: "You can fire 'em, but you gotta pay 'em first."
* Beware of furloughs, as certain procedures can run afoul of FLSA standards. It's okay, Lott said, to tell salaried employees you'll need them to take one week off unpaid before year's end, but mandating certain days/times could be legally sticky.
