Trump DOL removes Obama DOL guidance on independent contractors, joint employment. On Wednesday, Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta removed two Administrator's Interpretations on independent contractors and joint employment issued during the Obama Administration. Here is our Client Bulletin, which I wrote with Jim Coleman, co-chair of our Wage and Hour Practice Group. The quick and dirty: this is a hopeful sign for employers, but don't be expecting radical changes in the DOL's position on these issues.

Are franchisors liable for their franchisees' alleged violations of the Massachusetts Tips Act? It's going to depend on the situation, but a court in Massachusetts recently ruled that a franchisor was not liable for an "administrative fee" where the franchisor did not require the fee, did not control where the fee income went, and received payment only from the franchisee's general revenues. Jeff Rosin, head of our Franchise Industry Group, and Ellen Kearns, head of our Boston Office and co-chair of our Wage and Hour Practice Group, have a comprehensive discussion of the legal issues here.