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.

7 Steps to Starting an Investigation in the Workplace

When an employee complains that a supervisor or co-worker is harassing or bullying them, or engaged in discriminatory or other illegal conduct, an investigation is often required to resolve the matter. However, few managers are trained in how to conduct them. Speaking at BLR’s National Employment Law Update this week in Las Vegas, Attorney Rebecca […]

Is $95K PowerPoint Preparer Exempt from Overtime?

“Artistic” exemption? Is an employee who earns $95,000 preparing PowerPoint® presentations for very high-level financial presentations exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) “artistic exemption”? “Probably not,” in the opinion of Attorney Myron Moye, speaking at the BLR® National Employment Law Update running this Monday through Wednesday (October 19-21) in Las Vegas. […]

You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too (If You’re Creative)

By Todd Thomas Just My E-pinion In this era of tight finances, Todd Thomas suggests that a little creativity will allow you to maintain corporate charitable contributions and management training retreats on a zero-dollar budget. (You might have to buy lunch.) Most organizations are finding they have to cut back on “non-essentials” like charitable giving […]

HR Quiz: Telecommuting and H1N1 Flu

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared H1N1 influenza, commonly known as the Swine Flu, to be an epidemic. It seems like every national nightly news program brings more stories of outbreaks, school closings, and even deaths — and it’s just the beginning of flu season. What’s a conscientious employer to do? Take the […]

CDC’s Flu Face Mask and Respirator Recommendations

Yesterday’s Advisor discussed the issue of face masks and respirators and H1N1 “swine flu.” Today, we’ll look at the CDC’s specific recommendations and find out about a special training tool for helping all your employees prepare for a flu pandemic. CDC has issued the following recommendations for face mask and respirator use in preventing infection […]

“No-Match” Rule Officially Dropped

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has officially dropped the controversial “no-match” rule, which required employers to fire workers if there was a discrepancy between a worker’s Social Security Number (SSN) and official government records. The rule also imposed penalties on employers who didn’t fire employees if the discrepancy wasn’t quickly explained.

Senate Finance Committee Approves Health Care Reform Bill

In a 14-9 vote, the Senate Finance Committee has approved Senator Max Baucus’ health care reform bill, titled America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. All the Democrats on the committee and only one Republican voted for the legislation. Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine who helped work on the bill and whose vote has […]

Will Face Masks Save Employees from Swine Flu?

The swine flu predictions are flying in all directions—from “no worries” to “half the population will be infected.” If you assume the middle ground is likely, should you be breaking out respirators or other protective gear for employees? CDC’s not sure. It might seem like a no-brainer to get everyone in face masks or respirators […]

Acceptable Affirmative Phrases for Discussing Disabilities

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to communicate with or assist     co-workers with disabilities. Over-eager assistants do more harm than good, while others, concerned that they will say the wrong thing, say nothing—further isolating people with disabilities. Using affirmative language is the first step in communicating well with people with disabilities, says DOL’s Office of […]