Liebert Store

Before an entity attempts to comply with the FLSA with respect to a particular individual or class of individuals, the entity should first determine whether the FLSA even covers the individual or class in question; that is, whether the individual is considered to be an employee under the Act. While most workers are covered as employees, there are certain classes of individuals who are not considered employees. Volunteers and independent contractors are not covered by the Act. In addition, trainees and certain elected officials, their staff, and certain employees of legislative bodies are also not covered by the FLSA.

To effectively manage public employees today's administrators and supervisors need to be aware of the many laws, rules, and policies affecting the workplace. The United States and California constitutions and statutes, case law, administrative regulations and decisions, collective bargaining agreements, and board policies all shape the relationship between the employee associations and management, the employer and employee. An administrator or the supervisor's ability to readily identify legal issues arising out of these relationships is a major factor in promoting productivity, protecting the district from liability, and ultimately being a more effective manager.

Today's public sector managers and supervisors must balance the ever-increasing demand for public services against an ever-shrinking budget. Because public services are necessarily provided to taxpayers through an agency's personnel, managers and supervisors must develop personnel management skills to meet productivity demands while also ensuring compliance with the many laws and rules regulating workplace conduct. This workbook was developed to assist managers and supervisors in developing the personnel management strategies necessary to carry out these objectives.