News & Insights

As school bus operators prepare to review their employee handbooks and policies over the summer months, special attention should be paid to any language in the handbook or separate policy regarding employee benefits and leave. School bus operators often employ both full-time and part-time staff, and like most employers, typically provide benefits to full-time employees that part-time employees do not receive. Additionally, it is not uncommon for employers to have benefits policies that do not ac...

As most school bus operators know, when it comes to human resources, compliance is often the primary focus. However, there are other elements of effective human resources management that extend beyond compliance, such as communication and compassion. School bus operators, like most employers, are frequently faced with workplace issues where clear communication and compassion can make a difference.

In last months issue of Mind Your Business: PA School Bus Edition, we discussed the job duties test as a component of determining whether an employee is exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). However, the job duties test is only half of the analysis. To qualify for most exemptions under the FLSA, employees must satisfy both the duties test and the salary test.

Libraries rely on many employees to keep public services running each day. A single library may employ directors, branch managers, professional librarians, circulation assistants, pages, custodians, technology staff, and administrative personnel. Because these roles often overlap, employee classification can be difficult for library boards and administrators. This is especially true in smaller libraries, where one employee may supervise staff, serve patrons, prepare reports, and assist with d...

As we approach the end of the 2025-2026 school year, school bus contractors are already making plans for work that must be completed over the summer months in preparation for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Often included in these preparations over the summer months is a review of the employee handbook and supplemental company policies and procedures. As school bus contractors take the time this summer to review and update their handbook, it is recommended not to overlook language regard...

As we approach the end of the school year, school bus operators are already planning work that must be done over the summer months. For most operators, the summer months are the best time of the year to review and revise employee handbooks, as well as other employer policies and procedures. One component that should not be overlooked during this review period is language regarding the company’s drug and alcohol policy (or policies).

The Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) establishes the minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour, and overtime requirements for employees working over forty (40) hours per week, at a rate of one and one half times the employee’s regular rate of pay. 29 U.S.C. §206, 207. But, employees employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity are exempt from these minimum wage and overtime requirements. 29 U.S.C. §213(a). The United States Department of Labor (“USDOL”) regulati...