Below is an excerpt of an article co-authored with my Labor and Employment Group colleague  Jessica Pinto, which was published in the latest edition of PE magazine, the flagship publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

On January 10, 2024, the US Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule revising previous guidance on employee and independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – a reminder for employers to ensure proper classification of workers. Misclassification poses serious risks to employers as it may deny workers proper protections and benefits and result in fines, penalties, payments, and other liability. Engineers may be susceptible to misclassification due to the varying nature of work among different sectors, contractual or project-based work, and remote work in different locations. Read the full article.

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Photo of Abby Warren Abby Warren

As an attorney in Robinson+Cole’s Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration Group, I represent manufacturers in all areas of labor and employment law.  This includes discharge and discrimination issues, workplace investigations, affirmative action compliance, employee discipline, wage and hour issues, disability and reasonable accommodation…

As an attorney in Robinson+Cole’s Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration Group, I represent manufacturers in all areas of labor and employment law.  This includes discharge and discrimination issues, workplace investigations, affirmative action compliance, employee discipline, wage and hour issues, disability and reasonable accommodation, family and medical leave, unemployment, training, and defense in federal and state court and before administrative agencies. My full firm bio can be accessed here.

I represent manufacturers in the aerospace, consumer goods, machinery and other industries, which involves identifying practical, cost-effective and realistic solutions that prioritize and solidly execute the client’s objectives.  Manufacturers face unique challenges stemming from compliance with ever-changing industry regulations, including those impacting federal contractors.  Early in my career, I toured a client’s facility facing union-related struggles and realized that only through observing the workplace on the ground level can an attorney successfully understand and represent businesses.  As an employment attorney, I work alongside clients as a true partner to further their key personnel and human resources goals, including efficient and safe operations, recruitment and retention of talent, diversity and inclusion, among other issues. Whether advising on a leadership transition or on compliance with wage payment laws, the aim is always the same – to solve problems so clients can focus their attention on doing what they do best – manufacturing.