Category: HR Management & Compliance

There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.

Worksite Privacy from Social Networking to Social Security

Yesterday’s Advisor featured four common-law claims and the first four privacy issues for employers. Today, the rest of the issues, plus an introduction to a comprehensive collection of 350 prewritten policies on CD. [Go here for issues 1 to 4.] 5. Social Networking Sites Employees have increasingly been utilizing social networking sites for a variety […]

’Tis the Season for Cold Weather Training

The material in this issue is adapted from BLR®’s audio PowerPoint® presentation on “Working in Cold Conditions.” When winds begin to blow, it’s time for organizations with outside operations to train their workers on how to work safely in cold weather. Read on for suggested answers to the training exercise questions in yesterday’s issue. [marketing: […]

Rhode Island joins states with ‘ban the box’ laws

by Timothy C. Cavazza Rhode Island’s new law prohibiting employers from asking on employment applications whether an applicant has ever been “convicted of a crime” takes effect on January 1. Despite the initial ban, employers are permitted to “ask an applicant for information about his or her criminal convictions at the first interview or thereafter, […]

Employers need to be ready for new California law on same-sex harassment

by Tara K. Clancy and Kristine W. Hanson A new California law means employees who file same-sex harassment cases should have an easier time getting relief from the courts. Senate Bill (SB) 292, which was signed into law in August and takes effect in January, means employees don’t have to have evidence that sexual desire […]

11 Common Workplace Privacy Issues (and 4 Common-Law Claims)

Although employers generally possess a significant degree of latitude with regard to maintaining the integrity of company products, monitoring productivity, and ensuring a safe worksite, employers must balance such interests with the interests of their employees to maintain a degree of privacy.

New Hawaii law imposes new pay stub, record-keeping requirements

by Paul Saito A new law designed to help the state quickly determine whether employers are paying workers properly goes into effect January 1. Under the new law, Hawaii employers will be required to provide employees with additional information on all pay stubs and payroll records and maintain payroll records on company premises. During each […]

New Oregon law gives employees bereavement leave

by Calvin Keith Oregon will become the first state in the nation to require employers to provide bereavement leave when House Bill 2950 takes effect January 1. The new law allows for bereavement leave under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). The law applies to any employer with 25 or more employees in Oregon. Any […]

Do Your Employees Know How to Stay Safe in Cold Conditions?

The material in this issue is adapted from BLR®’s audio PowerPoint® presentation on “Working in Cold Conditions.” One effective way to begin training sessions is to impress upon trainees why this particular training topic is so serious. Here’s some information about the dangers of working in the cold to give your trainees: Hypothermia is a […]

Assistants, Team Leaders, and Supervisors— Exempt or Not?

In yesterday’s Advisor,we learned exemption status of many specific jobs. Today, the tricky status of executive assistants, team leaders, and supervisors who perform nonexempt duties, plus we introduce the all-things-HR website, HR.BLR.com. Supervisors Who Perform Concurrent Duties Supervisors who perform both exempt and nonexempt work may still qualify as exempt employees under the law. For […]

Train New Hires to Reduce Their Number of Injuries

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 40 percent of injured employees have been on the job less than a year. Farmers Insurance Group says that more than half of new workers injured were employed for less than a month, and one of every eight injuries occurred on the first day of work. […]