Short Takes: Making Up Hours
Can our nonexempt employees make up time missed by working extra hours another day without our having to pay overtime?
Archives
Background Checks: Can we Refuse to Hire Someone with a DUI?
When we are hiring, we run a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) check on the applicants. If it shows a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction five years or more in the past, we usually go ahead and hire the person. But if the DUI is within five years, we don’t hire the person. I’m […]
Family Leave: We’re a Small Company—Are We Covered by FMLA?
We are a small California business with 14 employees. We are not supposed to be subject to FMLA, but our lawyer says we are. This is because we have FMLA eligibility information included in our handbook. But the eligibility clause clearly states that “employees who work at a location where the Company employs fewer than […]
You’re the Expert: How can we train our managers and supervisors to avoid retaliation?
We had a serious discrimination and retaliation claim. The underlying claim got dismissed but the retaliation claim stuck. I think there’s another one in the offing. How can we train our managers and supervisors to avoid retaliation?
Dress Codes: Can We Implement a Haircut Policy for Men?
Some of our male employees—our salesmen—have been coming in looking very shaggy, and we’ve even gotten a few customer complaints. We’d like to implement a policy that men have to keep their hair at collar length or shorter. Any problems with this?— Frustrated HR Manager in Fresno
Liability: Under What Circumstances Might I Be Held Personally Liable for Decisions I Make at Work?
I make a lot of employment decisions in the average day, and I’m just not sure of all the laws that cover each type of action. My question is, if I’m acting in good faith, in what circumstances could I be held personally liable for my actions? Thanks for your help.— Rose Ann, HR Specialist […]
Absences: When Exempt Employees Exhaust Their Sick Leave but Don’t Return to Work, What Should We Do?
We’re having some problems with our sick leave policy. When people get to the end of their sick leave and have to stay out sick, what happens? I guess that if they are nonexempt, they just don’t get paid. But for exempt people, can I give them an unpaid personal day and deduct a day […]