Employment Law

1. Wages and Benefits
   1. Minimum Wage Laws
      1. Federal Minimum Wage
         1. Current rate and historical trends
         2. Impact on different sectors
         3. Legislative efforts to increase
      2. State and Local Variations
         1. Variability across regions
         2. Factors influencing changes in rates
         3. Living wage movements
   2. Overtime Regulations
      1. Eligibility Criteria
         1. Distinction between exempt and non-exempt employees
         2. Hours threshold for overtime pay
         3. Special rules for certain industries
      2. Calculation of Overtime Pay
         1. Standard rate for overtime
         2. Double time and other premium pay structures
         3. Treatment of bonuses and incentives in calculation
   3. Health Benefits and Leave
      1. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
         1. Eligibility and qualifying events
         2. Duration and coverage maintenance during leave
         3. Relationship with state-specific leave laws
      2. Health Insurance Requirements
         1. Employer mandates and coverage minimums
         2. Small business exemptions
         3. Role of the Affordable Care Act
      3. Paid Time Off Policies
         1. Vacation accrual systems
         2. Sick leave entitlements and variations
         3. Integration with employer wellness programs
   4. Retirement and Pension Plans
      1. Types of Employer-Sponsored Plans
         1. Defined benefit vs. defined contribution plans
         2. Rules governing 401(k) and similar plans
      2. Employer Contributions
         1. Matching contributions and vesting schedules
         2. Impact of economic changes on contributions
      3. Employee Savings and Withdrawals
         1. Options for increasing employee savings rates
         2. Rules for early withdrawals and penalties
   5. Additional Employee Benefits
      1. Flexible Work Arrangements
         1. Telecommuting and flexible scheduling options
         2. Impact on work-life balance and productivity
      2. Wellness Programs
         1. Types of programs offered (e.g., gym memberships, stress management)
         2. Financial incentives for participation
         3. Evaluating the effectiveness of wellness programs
      3. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
         1. Services provided, including counseling and legal assistance
         2. Utilization rates and employee satisfaction
         3. Confidentiality measures and trust-building
   6. Compliance and Employer Responsibilities
      1. Recordkeeping Requirements
         1. Types of records required by law
         2. Duration for keeping wage and hour records
      2. Legal Compliance Audits
         1. Frequency and scope of audits
         2. Areas of focus to preempt legal issues
      3. Penalties for Non-Compliance
         1. Fines and restitution for wage violations
         2. Corrective actions and reputational risks
   7. Trends in Compensation and Benefits
      1. Shift Towards Personalized Benefits
         1. Customization of benefits packages to meet diverse needs
         2. Use of technology to manage flexible benefits
      2. The Rise of Gig and Freelance Work
         1. Challenges in extending benefits to non-traditional workers
         2. Innovative benefit solutions for gig workers
      3. Equity and Fair Compensation
         1. Efforts to eliminate pay gaps based on gender and race
         2. Transparency in compensation practices
         3. Impact of pay equity laws on employer strategies