President Obama and Congressional leaders from both political parties have put immigration reform very high on the priority list – and most experts predict that comprehensive legislation will pass in the coming months.

This will have a significant impact on the household employment industry since the Department of Labor estimates that approximately 1 million of our 12 million illegal immigrants work in the domestic service industry.

Although several elements of the bill are still being debated, all parties agree that the path to citizenship will be paved by the payment of taxes.  Those who want to stay in the country and earn the right to become a United States citizen will be required to prove that they’ve paid – and are continuing to pay – their fair share of taxes.

We’ll be watching the legislative process closely so we can inform families on the new law – and guide them through the steps of putting an undocumented nanny or housekeeper “on the books.”

Read a good article today by Park Slope Patch writer Will Yakowicz.  A recent survey conducted by the Park Slope Parents organization indicates that 44% of the nannies who deserve overtime are not being paid at the legal time-and-a-half rate.  It's a good reminder to all nanny employers that overtime is required for all "non-exempt" workers -- even if you pay them on a salaried basis ("non-exempt" workers are a special protected class of worker under the Fair Labor Standards Act).

There are exceptions or special provisions in some states for live-in employees, but generally overtime must be paid for all hours over 40 in a 7-day work week and the overtime rate of pay must be at least 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.

Overtime violations can be extremely expensive because offenders are hit with back wages, back taxes, penalties, interest and attorney fees. The good news is it's a preventable problem.  Give us a quick call and one of our New Employer Orientation specialists will be happy to assess your situation and guide you safely past this and any other potential landmines.