Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
'Jersey Shore' Producer Sued for Unfair Pay
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: April 18, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
Creating a television show takes a lot of work, money and long, hard hours.
However, this doesn’t mean that producers can neglect compensation laws. It appears as though this may have happened during the production of MTV’s popular reality show “Jersey Shore,” as the production company – 495 Productions – was recently hit with a class-action lawsuit for unfair pay, failure to pay overtime and violation of minimum wage laws.
No matter what type of work a company is doing, there are laws that need to be followed regarding employee compensation. For one, there is a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which was established in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Employers who violate the minimum wage or overtime pay requirements – two claims made against 495 Productions – can be prosecuted criminally and fined up to $10,000. A second offense might result in imprisonment.
Employee Compensation Laws
However, there are some types of employees who are exempt from minimum wage and overtime laws. Here are a few examples:
- Executive, administrative and professional employees, such as teachers and academic administrative personnel.
- Employees of seasonal amusement or recreational establishments.
- Farm workers employed on small farms.
- Casual babysitters and person employed as companions to the elderly or inform.
Clearly, none of the employees working on the “Jersey Shore” television show fall into these job categories, which is why they may have success in their lawsuit. The class-action lawsuit includes at least 100 people who were impacted during the TV show’s production. In addition to allegedly violating minimum wage and overtime pay, 495 Productions is also accused of not paying wages in a timely manner.
It will be interesting to see if these employees are successful, and if it will encourage workers on other TV shows to come forward about unfair working conditions.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
BESS Interconnection: Managing Grid, Cost, and Schedule Risk
For battery energy storage system (BESS) developers, securing equipment and site control is only part of the development equation. A project must also connect to the electric grid, and increasingly, BESS interconnection is one of the biggest sources of schedule, cost, and contractual risk. Key Takeaways This article is Part 3 of our Battery Storage […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
Navigating Director and Officer Liability in Times of Financial Distress
Director and officer liability increases sharply when a company is in financial distress. Decisions that would draw little attention in a healthy business can later be challenged by creditors, shareholders, bankruptcy trustees, and regulators as breaches of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers, or oversight failures. Understanding where that exposure comes from, and how to manage it, […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Before You Buy: Managing Real Estate and Permitting Risk for BESS Projects in New York and New Jersey
For developers pursuing battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, finding the right property is only the beginning. BESS site selection is as much a legal and transactional exercise as a real estate decision, with risk analysis central to the project’s ultimate success. Key Takeaways The core questions for BESS site selection in New York and […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Arbitration vs. Litigation vs. Mediation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Arbitration resolves disputes privately before an arbitrator whose decision is usually final, while litigation resolves them in court with full rights of appeal. Whether a business ends up in arbitration or litigation is often decided when it signs the contract, long before any dispute arises. Key Takeaways When facing a contract dispute, carefully consider your […]
Author: Graham Staton
Can You Own Part of a New Jersey Business Without a Written Agreement?
Can you own part of a business in New Jersey without a written agreement? Yes, it is possible. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership can arise when two or more people carry on a business as co-owners for profit, whether or not they ever intended to form one. Ownership doesn’t necessarily depend on […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.