DOL Unveiled Alliance with Franchise Restaurant to Improve Wage-and-Hour Compliance

By: Sheila Raftery Wiggins

The U.S. Department of Labor unveiled its alliance with a sandwich franchisor to help improve the franchisee owners’ compliance with wage-and-hour laws. Under this agreement, the franchisor agreed to share data and swap ideas about promoting compliance with labor laws and co-developing training materials for distribution to franchisee owners. The agreement also includes a commitment to “explore ways to use technology to support franchisee compliance, such as building alerts into the payroll and scheduling platform that [the franchisor] offers as a service to its franchisees.” WARNING: Agreements like these may support a joint employer determination. Whether this agreement is truly a “recipe for success” is in the fine details.

Sheila Raftery Wiggins, of the Newark office, handles matters involving complex commercial disputes, insurance defense, coverage disputes, financial fraud, and attorney ethics.

There for You? Confirm Your “Additional Insured” Status as Required by Business Contracts and Operations Manual

By: Sheila Raftery Wiggins

Business contracts – like franchise agreements and operational manuals – may require that another entity is listed as an “additional insured” on an insurance policy. Failure to comply may: (i) violate the terms of a contract and (ii) increase your exposure to risk. Minimize risk by: (1) Confirming status as an “additional insured” on your and your business partner’s policies; (2) Include “legal hot topics” covered by the policy by speaking with your broker and lawyers regarding legal trends so you are covered against the “hot topic” lawsuits/claims in your industry; and (3) Read business contracts and operations manuals, which may permit you to change coverage. This insurance coverage “check-up” will help confirm that your insurance will be there for you.

Sheila Raftery Wiggins, of the Newark office, handles matters involving complex commercial disputes, insurance defense, coverage disputes, financial fraud, and attorney ethics.

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The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and are not to be construed as legal advice.

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