Supreme Court to Hear Case Involving Payment for Waiting in Security Lines

US Supreme CourtOne of the hot issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is whether employers should be required to pay employees for time spent waiting in security lines to access their job site. Employees argue that such time is required as part of their jobs, and thus should be paid. Employers argue that such time is not “work” and is not compensable. A case involving contract employees at one of Amazon.com’s warehouses in Nevada was accepted by the Supreme Court this week, setting up a significant decision which could impact wage and hour practices around the country.

In the Amazon case, workers alleged they had to spend nearly 30 unpaid minutes each day waiting in line to clear security checks before and after their shifts. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the case could move forward, which set up a conflict with other court decisions. An article about the case can be found here. This case will have a significant impact on Texas, where many contractors at plants and refineries have faced similar lawsuits. A decision from the Supreme Court should be expected in the summer of this year.

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About HR Headaches
HR Headaches is a blog for Human Resources professionals, business owners, and in-house counsel to get the latest news, analysis and tips in the area of labor and employment law. Every day there are new court decisions, agency interpretations, and regulations which affect the workplace, making it difficult, if not impossible, for many employers to keep current. HR Headaches is dedicated to providing information in a practical, no-nonsense manner to help employers avoid legal disputes and keep policies up to date.
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