Alaska Employment Law

The spotlight on Gov. Palin  reveals employment law issues almost daily. 

Alaska state per diem:  The Washington Post ran a story on Gov. Sarah Palin’s receipt of per diem during time she spends in Wasilla.  Work Professor links to the WaPo story, and analyzes the employment law issues.   Byron York defends Palin’s receipt of per diem on National Review’s The Corner.

Note:  It’s not clear what personnel rules govern Palin’s receipt of state per diem.  AS 39.20.060 (Exclusion of governor and lieutenant governor from personnel laws) provides:

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the governor and lieutenant governor are not considered employees of the state for the purpose of state personnel laws relating to hours of employment, annual leave, sick leave, overtime, compensatory time, and travel allowances. This section does not deprive the governor and lieutenant governor of the right to participate in the state retirement system or in state group insurance plans.

10/04/08 Update: Palin didn’t pay taxes on the per diem.  Whether she’s requried to do so is disputed.

Protections for working mothers:  MSNBC has a story about the impact of Palin’s condidacy on working mothers and “having it all.”  It contains this quote: 

A spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign said she was unable to say at this time what Palin’s position is on federal policies relating to job protections and benefits for working mothers.

Irrelevant addendum: Anchorage attorney Wev Shea’s odd letters to Palin and to various law enforcement officials, and his analysis of Congress’ contempt authority, are here, courtesy of TPM.