Strippers Are ‘Employees’ Under State Law, And Due Minimum Wage, Nevada Court Rules

Dancers who perform at a Nevada strip club are employees, not independent contractors, and therefore are entitled to the minimum wage under state law, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Oct. 30 (Terry v. Sapphire/Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, 2014 BL 306778, Nev., 59214, 10/30/14).

Reversing a lower court’s dismissal of a class action filed by dancers at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, the seven-member supreme court said the “economic realities” test used under the Fair Labor Standards Act should also be used to determine whether an employment relationship exists under Nevada’s minimum wage law.

Applying a non-exhaustive six-factor test, the court ...