Suppose your company has an incentive bonus plan that bases a bonus on the specific work done during a calendar year. Bonus payments are made 90 days after the end of the calendar year on an “Award payment date.” But your bonus plan has an important provision. That provision states that “Participants must be employed… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: bonuses
Webinar Series is Back: Classification and Compensation Issues for Employers
Posted in Human Resources (HR) ComplianceAfter a brief hiatus, our free monthly webinar series is back. On November 3, 2010 (from 12-1 p.m. EDT), my colleagues Jonathan Orleans and Tiffany Kouri will address two hot topics in employment law: State and federal authorities are focusing attention on the distinction between employees and independent contractors. Misclassification can expose employers to liability… Continue Reading
Breaking: Connecticut Supreme Court Finds A Bonus Can Constitute “Wages”, in the Right Case
Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Litigation, Wage & HourBack in June, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued its decision in Ziotas v. The Reardon Law Firm — a significant ruling because it found that where a bonus is discretionary and is not ascertainable by applying a formula, it did not constitute "wages". I talked about the case in a lengthy post and noted that… Continue Reading
Law Tribune Provides Background on Bonus Case and Cites To Blog
Posted in Litigation, Wage & HourEarlier this month, I talked about how a new case from the Connecticut Supreme Court could have an impact on bonus plans for employers. The Connecticut Law Tribune this week (subscription required) echoes many of my sentiments. The Tribune states that some employment lawyers believe it is going to have a "wider impact", while others believe… Continue Reading
BREAKING: Conn. Supreme Court Holds that a Year-End Discretionary Bonus Does Not Constitute “Wages”
Posted in Wage & HourIn a decision that will be officially released next week, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that a year-end bonus — the amount of which is discretionary — does not constitute "wages" under Connecticut wage & hour laws. The decision, Ziotas v. The Reardon Law Firm (download here), reverses an appellate court decision to the… Continue Reading
State Official: AIG Bonuses Do Not Violate State Unfair Trade Practices Law (CUTPA)
Posted in Wage & HourRemember the big uproar over the AIG bonuses a few weeks back? (Seems like a few years ago now, right?) Well, the beginning of the end of Connecticut’s interest in the matter occurred today with a whimper, not a bang, when the state’s consumer protection commissioner released a memorandum concluding that Connecticut has no legal… Continue Reading
Connecticut’s Wage Laws — What Do They Really Say About Bonuses, Wages and Double Damages?
Posted in Laws and Regulations, Wage & HourUPDATED Over the last 24 hours, it seems that every politician is decrying the use of Connecticut wage and hour laws as apparent support for AIG’s payout of various retention payments. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s comments are among the most pointed, according to Capitol Watch: "I have significant doubts about the validity of AIG’s… Continue Reading
About Daniel Schwartz
Trusted advisor. Experienced employment law attorney. Bar leader. Award-winning author. Noted Speaker. "Legal Rebel". All can be said to be apt descriptions of Daniel Schwartz, a member of Pullman & Comley. More +
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