If you thought labor issues in this environment couldn't be more difficult, enter the revised Department of Labor (DOL) "dual job" and "80/20" rules, which are effective December 31. They likely will create significant compliance challenges for businesses that take the tip credit. Many operators may have to decide whether to eliminate tipping, assign cleaning and side work to dedicated low-wage workers, or figure out how to track the time tipped staff spend on tasks that are not directly "tipped producing". READ MORE

COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have a lasting impact on the hospitality industry. In some cases, coronavirus may alter language that hospitality actors utilize in contracts. Those contracts may need to be amended to reflect the impact of coronavirus or those contracts, as they stand, may be interpreted in light of coronavirus. One aspect of contracts that may be impacted by coronavirus is force majeure provisions within hotel management agreements. READ MORE

With the ever-changing COVID-related laws, regulations and mandates, hotel employers are finding themselves in court defending COVID-related employment litigation claims. How can hotel employers stay in compliance and avoid a COVID-related lawsuit? READ MORE

One unforeseen consequence of the pandemic, particularly at hotels, is staffing shortages. These staffing shortages have resulted in hotels requesting existing exempt employees to take on more duties and responsibilities of non-exempt employees. Such efforts may backfire and put hotel employers at risk to wage-and-hour litigation. READ MORE

With travelers returning to hotel destinations across the world, threats of COVID-19 contamination continue to expose the hospitality industry to various legal risks. With more than 2,000 COVID-related cases currently on file in the United States, the risk remains, especially in the areas of negligent exposure and labor and employment. This article will examine some of the increased legal risks to the hotel industry and some suggestions to mitigate or reduce exposure to COVID-19 related lawsuits. READ MORE