Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Many states have statutes prohibiting discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Not all states have such prohibition, and since there is no broad federal prohibition on discrimination by private employers based on either category, that leaves local ordinances to address the issue. A look at what is happening in […]
by Joseph C. Nuzzo, Jr. Most employees in Newark, New Jersey, will begin earning paid sick leave time on May 29. The new ordinance, which was passed in January, allows employees in the city to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick leave each year. The ordinance doesn’t apply to public employees or employees […]
Employers are always looking for the best ways to engage employees. They know a highly engaged workforce means good morale, enhanced productivity, high retention of talented workers, an environment conducive to innovation and creativity, and the list goes on. Recently, some experts have even advocated extending engagement efforts beyond an employer’s regular employees. With contingent […]
I learned something last week. If you read a youngster’s text messages, you’ll notice a complicated system of abbreviations, symbols, and symaphores that, when translated with your 7-year-old’s assistance, become more-or-less coherent English sentences. Anyway, I learned “SMH” means “shaking my head,” which is exactly what I do these days when I hear the words […]
by Dan Oswald Last night, my wife encouraged me to watch the movie Saving Mr. Banks, and I’m glad she did. The movie, which stars Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, tells the story of Walt Disney’s quest to obtain the rights to make a movie based on P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins and her role in […]
Illinois’ same-sex marriage law, which was passed last fall, is set to take effect June 1. The new law will affect Illinois employers in various ways. Employers will need to treat same-sex spouses the same way they treat opposite-sex spouses. This will have ramifications for employer-sponsored health plans with spousal coverage and retirement plans. Also, […]
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is inviting interested parties to file briefs in a case that could overrule a decision that allows employers to restrict employees’ use of their electronic communication systems. On April 30, the NLRB issued its decision in Purple Communications, Inc. That decision notes that on October 24, 2013, an administrative […]
By Mohamed Badreddine Last chance agreements are a tool commonly used by workplace parties in Canada to give an employee accused of serious or repeated misconduct one last chance to keep his or her job. These agreements are sometimes used to manage an employee’s absenteeism, poor job performance, or drug or alcohol addiction. They may […]
by Philip Bruce Whether you have an established wellness program or are considering implementing a new one, now is a great time to review your wellness plan. Employees who are determined to lose weight for bathing suit season, quit smoking, or otherwise live a healthier lifestyle may be more inclined to take advantage of your […]
The campaign to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour fell a step backward in a Senate vote on April 30—a vote that brought cheers from business interests concerned that the increase would be too onerous on employers and jeers from labor groups that claim the current $7.25 minimum is inadequate. Sixty votes […]