Legally Reducing Employee Costs… Number of Employees, Hours, Pay and Benefits — Expert Advice Available Nov. 1, 2009

Manchester, NH, October 18, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Employers faced with a slow-down in business often must look at ways they can reduce employee costs in order to make ends meet; however, federal and state laws must be carefully considered before eliminating staff or reducing wages or benefits for risk of provoking liabilities and fines. Attorney Anne Scheer, this month’s expert, offers legal insight into this sensitive but critical issue.

One subject Anne covers is the difference between salaried employees and those who are paid by the hour, and how an employer can appropriately approach cost reductions in each situation. She writes, “…with very limited exceptions salaried employees must be paid their full salary for any pay period in which they perform any work.” Anne adds, “Federal and state wage hour laws generally only require that an employee paid by the hour be paid for all time worked or a minimum of two hours reporting pay, whichever is more.” Anne discusses some alternative options and highlights important legalities one must keep in mind when deciding if and how to reduce employee costs.

You can read the article in its entirety on the first of November when it will be posted on the Web sites of the Amoskeag Business Incubator and the Manchester Union Leaders, at www.abi-nh.com and www.unionleader.com. You’re invited to submit your questions through an on-line link, which will be answered and posted to both Web sites.

Anne Scheer is an attorney at Devine, Millimet & Branch where she is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment and Employee Benefits Practice Group and focuses on labor relations and employment issues, representing clients in all areas of employee relations, collective bargaining and contract administration. Anne practices out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office. She can be reached at 603-226-1000 or ascheer@definemillimet.com.

The on-line “Ask-the-Expert” forum features an array of specialists representing New Hampshire. You can ask your questions of the October expert, Richard Upton, about acquiring venture capital. Past topics have included: social media, international trade, tax management; government procurement; the venture capital process; patents, trademarks & copyrights; disaster preparedness for business technology and leveraging the internet for marketing success. All articles, along with the questions and responses, remain available for viewing.

About the Amoskeag Business Incubator (abi): The abi is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides affordable office space and technical assistance to early stage companies creating a supportive entrepreneurial environment that stimulates the growth of businesses, ensures economic vitality for the community and encourages job creation. For more information, please contact the abi at 629-9511, visit www.abi-nh.com or e-mail info@abi-nh.com.

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