Alaska Employment Law

Issuance dates for Alaska Supreme Court opinions:  In Alaska we’re used to seeing new Supreme Court opinions on most Friday mornings, and Supreme Court Memoranda Decisions on Wednesday mornings, but occasionally an opinion appears on a day other than Friday.  Why?  Because the Court is under a time restriction that won’t permit a delay until the next Friday, often (maybe typically) because it’s a child custody matter governed by the expedited decision provision of Appellate Rule 218(h).

Overtime and hours actually worked:  Vacation and leave hours don’t count toward the 8/day or 40/day.  Thus, if an employee’s time card shows 45 hours, of which 5 were sick or annual leave, the employer owes no overtime - unless some of the actual work hours exceeded the 8 per day set by the Alaska Wage and Hour Act.  Thanks to Ohio Employer’s Law Blog for the reminder.

COBRA and “gross misconduct”:   Terminated employees can lose the right to COBRA benefits if they’ve committed “gross misconduct.”  While the conduct needn’t reach criminal levels, it still must be severe.  Employee Benefits Legal Blog has more.  Hat-tip: Connecticut Employment Law.