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.

Back Pay Damages Include Overtime in FMLA Retaliation Claim, Courts Rule

Employers should be aware that back pay sometimes can entail more than base compensation. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals provided that reminder through its recent holding that overtime compensation may be included in an award of back pay. The case is Pagán-Colón v. Walgreens of San Patricio, Inc., Nos. 11-1089, 11-1091 (1st Cir. […]

California Outlaws ‘Demand Letters’ in Attempt to Curb Predatory ADA Suits

Letters demanding that businesses fix accessibility violations or settle with the sender are now prohibited in California thanks to a law that took effect last week. The bill, SB 1186, amended state law “by prohibiting ‘demand for money’ letters, where attorneys target businesses with alleged minor access violations and demand a quick monetary settlement in […]

Diversity Training Exercise: Can This Comment Lead to Legal Trouble?

Figures from the most recent census show that minorities account for almost a third of the U.S. workforce, 10% of workers are age 55 or over, and almost half the workforce are women. In the future, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that minorities will approach 50% of the American workforce, and the number […]

NLRB Gives Big-box Retailer Bad News About Social Media Policy

In recently finding that the social media policy of Costco Wholesale Corp. violated federal labor law, the National Labor Relations Board took its scrutiny of such employer policies to the next level: This the first time that the full board has ruled on the issue. And the NLRB decision was merely based upon what the […]

Curbing FMLA/CFRA abuse: Recent legal developments

Curbing FMLA/CFRA abuse is complex. Employers must continue to meet their obligations to employees under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), yet they often fear claims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation when rightfully trying to cut down on employee FMLA/CFRA abuse situations. Additionally, the case law […]

AI

Creating Strategic HR and Innovation—A Practitioner’s Perspective

By Holly Kortright To be a true strategic business partner to executives, the HR department must take a business-oriented approach to the human capital side of the organization, says Kortright. She shares what it means to be an HR leader who is a strategic business partner engaged in creating the future. Kortright is Senior Vice […]

Can You Ban Campaign Posters and Buttons?

Yesterday’s Advisor detailed laws governing political behavior at work; today, can you ban political symbols, plus an introduction to the popular HR Department of One—the only guide specially directed at smaller or even one-person HR departments. So, can you ban campaign posters and buttons? No laws specifically regulate this sort of partisan activity for private […]

How to Gain Recert Credits without Spending a Dime

By Nona Chigewe In this era of tight budgets, it can be tough to get employers to pay for enough activities to build 60 hours or recert credits. Fortunately, there are a number of free activities that you can use to build credits. Get Credits While You Work Let’s begin with your current job—you can […]