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Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

A temple volunteer is not automatically an employee under U.S. law. Genuine unpaid religious service is generally permitted at nonprofits, but regular duties, expected compensation or replacing paid workers can change the analysis. Visa holders also face separate immigration rules. Indian temples across the United States often depend on volunteers for festivals, kitchens, religious programs, administration and community events. But when does un

NRI News

19 Sep 2026 12:16 PM

Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

A temple volunteer is not automatically an employee under U.S. law. Genuine unpaid religious service is generally permitted at nonprofits, but regular duties, expected compensation or replacing paid workers can change the analysis. Visa holders also face separate immigration rules. Indian temples across the United States often depend on volunteers for festivals, kitchens, religious programs, administration and community events. But when does un

NRI News

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Can a Hindu priest work a second job in the USA? Citizens and green card holders generally have broad employment rights, but priests in R-1 religious worker status face specific restrictions on employers, job duties and outside secular work. A Hindu priest working in the United States may or may not be able to take a second job. The key factor is not the person's religious role itself, but their U.S. immigration and employment status

NRI News

19 Sep 2026 11:53 AM

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Can a Hindu priest work a second job in the USA? Citizens and green card holders generally have broad employment rights, but priests in R-1 religious worker status face specific restrictions on employers, job duties and outside secular work. A Hindu priest working in the United States may or may not be able to take a second job. The key factor is not the person's religious role itself, but their U.S. immigration and employment status

NRI News

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

JPMorgan Chase is facing renewed scrutiny after former banker Chirayu Rana rejected a reported $1 million settlement offer tied to allegations of sexual assault, racial harassment, and workplace misconduct in New York City. The refiled lawsuit, submitted this week, includes new witness statements

Legal Matters

11 May 2026 11:08 AM

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

JPMorgan Chase is facing renewed scrutiny after former banker Chirayu Rana rejected a reported $1 million settlement offer tied to allegations of sexual assault, racial harassment, and workplace misconduct in New York City. The refiled lawsuit, submitted this week, includes new witness statements

Legal Matters

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

What is a digital twin? A digital twin is an AI-powered system that replicates a person’s knowledge, behavior, and decision-making using their data. It can assist with tasks, answer questions, and act as a virtual version of an employee. Digital twin in workplace: the rise of AI ‘superwo

Internet & Technology

17 Apr 2026 12:23 PM

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

What is a digital twin? A digital twin is an AI-powered system that replicates a person’s knowledge, behavior, and decision-making using their data. It can assist with tasks, answer questions, and act as a virtual version of an employee. Digital twin in workplace: the rise of AI ‘superwo

Internet & Technology

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $85,000 in back wages for employees at a Texas coffee business following an investigation into violations of federal wage laws. Officials said the case involved improper handling of employee tips and misuse of a tip credit system under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated Nate’s At the Buda Mill & Grain Inc, operating as Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails in Buda, Texas. The investigation found that the company allowed its general manager to participate in an employee tip pool while also claiming a tip credit, a practice prohibited under federal law. As a result, the employer is required to pay $85,197 in back wages to 36 affected workers. Federal regulations clearly state that managers and supervisors are not permitted to retain any portion of employee tips or share in tip pools when a tip credit is applied. Tips are considered the property of service workers who earn them directly from customers. Violations of these provisions can result in employers losing the ability to claim tip credits and being required to compensate workers at the full federal minimum wage. The FLSA allows employers to pay tipped employees a base wage as low as $2.13 per hour, provided that tips received bring total earnings up to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour to meet this requirement. However, strict compliance rules govern how tips are distributed and who may participate in tip pools. Labor officials emphasized that employers must ensure tipped workers receive all earnings owed and comply fully with wage and hour laws. The department encourages both workers and employers to seek guidance to better understand their rights and responsibilities under federal regulations.

Legal Matters

06 Apr 2026 14:26 PM

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $85,000 in back wages for employees at a Texas coffee business following an investigation into violations of federal wage laws. Officials said the case involved improper handling of employee tips and misuse of a tip credit system under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated Nate’s At the Buda Mill & Grain Inc, operating as Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails in Buda, Texas. The investigation found that the company allowed its general manager to participate in an employee tip pool while also claiming a tip credit, a practice prohibited under federal law. As a result, the employer is required to pay $85,197 in back wages to 36 affected workers. Federal regulations clearly state that managers and supervisors are not permitted to retain any portion of employee tips or share in tip pools when a tip credit is applied. Tips are considered the property of service workers who earn them directly from customers. Violations of these provisions can result in employers losing the ability to claim tip credits and being required to compensate workers at the full federal minimum wage. The FLSA allows employers to pay tipped employees a base wage as low as $2.13 per hour, provided that tips received bring total earnings up to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour to meet this requirement. However, strict compliance rules govern how tips are distributed and who may participate in tip pools. Labor officials emphasized that employers must ensure tipped workers receive all earnings owed and comply fully with wage and hour laws. The department encourages both workers and employers to seek guidance to better understand their rights and responsibilities under federal regulations.

Legal Matters

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#employmentlaw

Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

New Jersey to launch digital driver's licenses under new law signed by Governor Murphy

Austin police to revise use-of-force policy amid review and training overhaul

Michigan Celebrates 7 Eleven Day With Free Slurpees and Special Rewards on July 11

Balochistan Independence Recognition Sought by Mir Yar Baloch

GoFundMe donations in the US: Tax rules NRIs should know

Filing ITR Early Can Speed Up Your Tax Refund: Here's How

West Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station Begins Fare Gate Upgrade With New High-Tech System

JCP&L crews restore power as outages drop after major blizzard

Hand of God Ball Heads to Auction Before England’s Azteca Return

Trump Says Iran Nuclear Talks Near Final Stage as Risks Rise

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New Jersey to launch digital driver's licenses under new law signed by Governor Murphy

Austin police to revise use-of-force policy amid review and training overhaul

Michigan Celebrates 7 Eleven Day With Free Slurpees and Special Rewards on July 11

Balochistan Independence Recognition Sought by Mir Yar Baloch

GoFundMe donations in the US: Tax rules NRIs should know

Filing ITR Early Can Speed Up Your Tax Refund: Here's How

West Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station Begins Fare Gate Upgrade With New High-Tech System

JCP&L crews restore power as outages drop after major blizzard

Hand of God Ball Heads to Auction Before England’s Azteca Return

Trump Says Iran Nuclear Talks Near Final Stage as Risks Rise

#employmentlaw

Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

Temple volunteer or employee? When unpaid service becomes work in the US

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Can Hindu priests work a second job in the USA?

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

Chirayu Rana Rejects $1M Offer as JPMorgan Lawsuit Escalates

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

What is a digital twin in the workplace?

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

Texas coffee bar ordered to repay $85K after tip pool violations

New Jersey to launch digital driver's licenses under new law signed by Governor Murphy

Austin police to revise use-of-force policy amid review and training overhaul

Michigan Celebrates 7 Eleven Day With Free Slurpees and Special Rewards on July 11

Balochistan Independence Recognition Sought by Mir Yar Baloch

GoFundMe donations in the US: Tax rules NRIs should know

Filing ITR Early Can Speed Up Your Tax Refund: Here's How

West Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station Begins Fare Gate Upgrade With New High-Tech System

JCP&L crews restore power as outages drop after major blizzard

Hand of God Ball Heads to Auction Before England’s Azteca Return

Trump Says Iran Nuclear Talks Near Final Stage as Risks Rise

Popular Cities