LABOR & EMPLOYMENT ISSUES FACING
THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
Rob Wo l
Jody Boquist
Craig Brown
David Goldstein
Ben Huggett
Bruce Millman
Angelo Spinola
C. Eric Stevens
Sherry Travers
Jessie Brown
Lucas Deloach
Katie Fearn
Tessa Gelbman
Lisa Kathumbi
Melissa McDonagh
Adam Primm
Roger Scruggs
Je Seidle
Meredith Shoop
AUTHOR S
| APRIL 2016 |
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This publication is not a do- it-yourself guide to resolving employment
disputes or handling emp loyment litigation. Nonetheless , employers
involved in ongoing disputes and litigation will find th e information useful in
understanding th e issues raised and their legal co ntext. The Littler Report is
not a substitute for experienced legal co unsel and does not provide
legal advice or attempt to address th e numerous factual issue s that
inevitably arise in any employment-related dispute.
Copyright ©2016 L ittler Mendelson, P.C.
All material contai ned within this publication is protecte d by copyright law and may not
be reproduced with out the express written consent of Lit tler Mendelson.
COPYRIG HT ©2016 LITTLER MEN DELSON, P.C. C
Table of Contents
SECTION/TOPIC PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
I. WAGE & HOUR CONCERNS FOR HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS 2
A. Factors Employers Should Consider fo r FLSA Classification Pur poses 2
1. D uties Requirements for FLSA Exemptions 2
2. Compensation Re quirements for FLSA Exemptions 3
B. Proposed Changes to the White Coll ar Exemption 4
C. Home Healthcare Exemptio n Litigation 4
D. Pay-Per-Visit Comp ensation Under the FLSA 6
E. Mandato ry Overti me 7
F. “Rounding” for Employees Compensated Hourly 9
G. Automatic Meal Deduction 9
H. State-Specific Wage & Hour Consid erations 11
I. What Should Employers d o to Help Mini mize Risk? 12
II. LABOR RELATIONS 13
A. Union Access to Employees 13
1. Acce ss to Hospitals and Healthc are Facilities 13
2. Electronic Access af ter Purple C ommunications 15
B. “Quickie” Elections 17
C. NLRB Attacks on Work Rules and P olicies under Section 7 of the NLRA 19
1. C onfidentiality 20
2. Oensive Language, Gossiping, Non-Disparagement 20
3. Conduct Toward the Company and Supervisors 21
4. Conduct Toward Employees 22
5. Conduct Toward the Third Parties 22
6. Company Logos, Copyrights, and Trademarks 23
7. Photog raphy and Recording 23
8. Restriciting Employees from Leavin g Work 23
9. No-Solicitation Policies and Distribution Rules 23
D. Tips for Employers 24
III. BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING 25
A. WARN Act 25
B. Successor Liability 26
C. Withdrawal Liability 28
D. Evaluating, Avoiding, and Pricing Liabilities: D ue Diligence 28
E. Protecting Talent and Intellectual Prop erty 29
F. Other Issues and Conclusion 29
