Labor & Employment

By Bruce M. Cross, [email protected]

In the holiday rush, it's easy to overlook wage-hour issues. This article discusses common ones to which retailers should be alerted, including: temporary workers and independent contractors; unpaid interns and trainees; “off-the-clock” work, meal and rest breaks; seating requirements; cost of uniforms; workplace safety; and overtime exemptions.

Temporary workers

New York -- Ricky's has named Catherine Moellering, former executive VP at retail consultancy the Tobe Report, as president and CEO, Crain’s New York reported.

Todd Kenig, the former CEO who founded the beauty store chain with his brother Ricky, left the company early this year. He was replaced in the spring by Richard Krantz, who is no longer with the company.

Dallas -- Dave & Buster's Inc. said Monday it has named Kevin Bachus as its senior VP entertainment and game strategy, effective immediately.

Bachus is co-creator of the Xbox videogame console system. He joins Dave & Buster's from social network Bebo, where he was chief product officer.
 
In the newly created Dave & Buster’s role, Bachus will be responsible for driving the evolution from on-premise-based entertainment to multi-platform gaming, including mobile and online.
 

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Thursday announced the appointment of Brad Fluegel as senior VP and chief strategy officer. Fluegel will be responsible for corporate strategy, business development, project management and the corporate consulting team while also working on venture capital efforts.

Fluegel joined Walgreens after previously serving as executive in residence at Health Evolution Partners. Before that he was EVP and chief strategy and external affairs officer of Wellpoint, a large health benefits company.

New York -- Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods, will be featured on the upcoming season premier of the Emmy Award-winning reality series “Undercover Boss.”

In the show, which will air on Friday, Nov.2 (8 p.m.-9 p.m. ET), Modell will go undercover as he ventures to the frontlines of his sporting goods and athletic apparel store for an unfiltered look into the inner workings of his corporation.
 

Walmart this week named Daniel Trujillo to the newly created position of SVP and chief compliance officer for its international division, according to a Wall Street Journal report based on an internal company memo.

The appointment comes amid a lengthy, ongoing and costly federal investigation into allegations of bribery at Walmart’s Mexican susbsidiary. Trujillo, 42, is currently deputy general counsel and director of compliance at the oil field services company Schlumberger.

New York -- Lowe's Cos. is seeking to hire two senior executives that could play a role in its CEO succession plan, according to the Associated Press.

The chain is looking for a chief merchandising officer and a head of supply chain. The positions were left vacant in May due to a reorganization.

Lowe’s is looking both internally and externally, the report said.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Books-A-Million has named Mary Jane Karwoski as VP human resources. Karwoski will be responsible for overseeing employee relations, compensation, benefits, training and development and recruiting for Books-A-Million.

“I am excited to welcome Mary Jane to the BAM team. Her impressive experience has well prepared her for this leadership role, and I know she will keep the best interest of our thousands of dedicated associates as her top priority,” said Terrance Finley, CEO and president of Books-A-Million Inc.