Client Memo: 2017 Housekeeping Review

Dear Clients,

Below are some important 2017 housekeeping items for you to review.

US DOL Exemption Revisions

The US DOL has tried to implement revisions to the white collar exemptions. The revisions are substantial. Granted, they were stopped by the US District Court, we believe this to be only a temporary stop. The following link from our Labor Attorney’s blog provides the important details. We will be following this for any updates. We strongly advise that you review the details and plan ahead accordingly.

https://www.bsk.com/news-events-videos/labor-employment-us-department-labor-issues-request-information-on

NYS DOL Proposed Salary Thresholds For Executive and Administrative Employees

NYS has proposed changes to the salary thresholds, not surprisingly very similar to the minimum wage change structure by region. These are proposed changes, however, are expected to prevail.

http://www.nylaborandemploymentlawreport.com/2016/10/articles/wage-and-hour/new-yorks-salary-threshold-for-exempt-employees-set-to-exceed-913-00-per-week/

Minimum Wage

Most of NYS will realize a minimum wage increase effective 12/31/2016 to $9.70 per hour. Other areas in NY will have their own minimum wage schedule according to the schedule below.

Location	12/31/16	12/31/17	12/31/18	12/31/19	12/31/20	12/31/21
NYC – Large Employers (of 11 or more)	$11.00	$13.00	$15.00
NYC Small Employers (10 or less)	$10.50	$12.00	$13.50	$15.00
Long Island & Westchester	$10.00	$11.00	$12.00	$13.00	$14.00	$15.00
Remainder of NYS	$9.70	$10.40	$11.10	$11.80	$12.50

https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/minwage.shtm

Other states of interest:

State	Wage	Date Effective
CA	$10.50	1/1/2017
CO	$9.30	1/1/2017
DE	$8.25	6/1/2015
IL	$8.25
IL	$10.50	7/1/2016
IN	$7.25	7/24/2009
MA	$11.00	1/1/2017
MD	$8.75	7/1/2016
NJ	$8.44	1/1/2017
WI	$7.25	7/24/2009
VA	$7.25	7/24/2009

As the required postings become available from the state agencies we will forward the links so you may download them.

Revised I-9

USCIS form I-9 has been revised and must be in place by January 22, 2017. We will be updating our employee setups with the updated form soon!

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-revises-form-i-9-used-all-new-hires-us