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Federally Regulated Employees Required to Cross Another Union’s Picket Line

By Ida Martin Imagine there is a group of federal government employees that are engaging in a lawful strike. Because of the physical location of your workplace, your employees can’t get to work without crossing the picket line. Your workers are unionized and have decided they won’t cross the picket line of the striking federal […]

Supporting Your Employees: Preventing Burnout at the End of the Year

Burnout is a continuously rising challenge in today’s workplace, draining energy, lowering productivity, and driving talent away, threatening both employee well-being and company success. Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It develops over time, often manifesting as chronic fatigue, reduced performance, disengagement, or irritability. Employees may feel emotionally drained or disconnected from their work and colleagues. By […]

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Worker Boxed Out of Suit Against Temp Agency’s Client

A temporary worker asserted claims for racial discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and battery. He settled his claims against the temp agency but tried to pursue them against the company that ran the facility. A federal judge in Southern Illinois told him to pack up and go home.

Office Christmas Party–strategies to avoid the legal fallout

You may be wondering why I selected to write about a movie that is not yet in the theaters.  Truthfully, I do not need to see the movie to write about its relevance to HR issues. In fact, all that’s necessary is to read the title—Office Christmas Party. Yes, we are in Human Resources. What […]

Don’t Count those Chickens Just Yet: Case Reborn after Dismissal

In the following case, a procedural error resulted in the dismissal of two employees’ claims against their employer. However, one of the employees saw her case revived after the other employee abandoned her claim while the issue was being appealed.

Addressing Disgruntled Employees Before They Exit

Extensive media attention has been given to how difficult it’s been for businesses around the country to find and hire workers. Additionally, you’ve likely had a personal experience reading the “help wanted” signs at various retail or hospitality services while standing in a long line or waiting for food. Various economic and social conditions have […]

Are Your Workers Prepared for Workplace Emergencies?

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave) recently released findings from a new survey of 530 respondents that examined employee perceptions of workplace safety. The survey revealed that “workplaces miss the mark in critical communication and planning, and could be unprepared to meet the future needs of employees,” according to a Rave press release.

NLRB guidance on confidentiality in workplace investigations

Conducting a workplace investigation usually involves confidentially interviewing witnesses and other parties involved in the situation at hand. But what if asking employees to keep the information confidential was actually violating those same employees’ rights? This is what the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has implied in recent cases. What should HR do?

Tight Around the White Collar – The New Overtime Rule is Here

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published its final rule amending the overtime regulations of the federal wage and hour law, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new rule requires an increase to the salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional workers (EAP) and Highly Compensated Employees (HCE) to qualify for exemption from […]

Provider Fraud, Treatment Delays Targeted in New California Workers’ Comp Laws

In California, a worker can seek treatment for a work-related illness or injury that’s expected to be covered under the employer’s workers’ compensation policy. To be paid for services performed for claims that aren’t yet finalized, the healthcare provider can file a lien (a claim for payment) against the employee’s workers’ compensation benefits claim. Unfortunately, […]