The Illinois DOL is supposedly increasing its audits of contractors for violations of the State's Prevailing Wage Act. Investigations are now focusing not just on proper payment, but also on technical violations. See here for more information: … [Read more...] about Illinois DOL Ramps Up Prevailing Wage Investigations
Pennsylvania Judge Orders Jail Sentence for Prevailing Wage Violation
In a recent Pennsylvania case, a contractor pleaded guilty to five counts of theft for underpaying his employees almost $65,000 in prevailing wages. In a somewhat surprising decision, the Court sentenced him to a term of four months to possibly two years in jail--even though no one on the case … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Judge Orders Jail Sentence for Prevailing Wage Violation
DOL’s New Principal Deputy Administrator Provides Insight on Enforcement
President Biden's chief wage administrator, Jessica Looman, says DOL investigators will focus on independent contractor misclassification and joint employment relationships when they police businesses for payroll violations. This means overturning some rules from the Trump administration. See … [Read more...] about DOL’s New Principal Deputy Administrator Provides Insight on Enforcement
$20 Million in Alleged Underpayment of Fringe Benefits
A Pennsylvania contractor was charged with four counts of theft relating to its alleged underpayment of more than $20 million to its employees in violation of prevailing wage law. Instead of putting the required fringe benefits into the accounts for the actual employees doing the work, the money … [Read more...] about $20 Million in Alleged Underpayment of Fringe Benefits
Michigan Introduces Bills to Bring Back Prevailing Wages
Although prevailing wage laws were repealed in Michigan in 2018, lawmakers have since introduced two new bills that would reinstate the law. See here for more information: https://www.wlns.com/news/michigan/lawmakers-want-to-bring-back-prevailing-wage-laws-in-michigan/ … [Read more...] about Michigan Introduces Bills to Bring Back Prevailing Wages
California Supreme Court Expands Definition of “Public Works”
The Supreme Court held that contract employees sorting bottles at a materials recovery facility owned by a county sanitation district were entitled to prevailing orders. The ruling effectively broadened the definition of "public works" under Labor Code Section 1720. See here for more … [Read more...] about California Supreme Court Expands Definition of “Public Works”