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Avoiding Mental Health Discrimination in the Workplace

Most employers are well aware that disability discrimination is illegal. But, some may not realize that many mental health issues are also covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Just like any physical disability, mental health conditions are covered by the ADA, and employers cannot discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with such conditions. […]

fired

Firing Employee Who Made Threats: Opposition Isn’t Always Protected

The Iowa Court of Appeals recently found that an employee who made violent threats on Facebook couldn’t sue her former employer for retaliation after she was terminated. The court’s decision is important because it allows employers to make termination decisions when a protected complaint is pending. In other words, not all opposition is protected.

teambuilding

Best Practices for Effective Teambuilding

Tell your staff you’re planning to do some teambuilding exercises and you’re likely to hear some groans and see a few eye rolls. Unfortunately, teambuilding exercises have a negative connotation in many workplaces. We say “unfortunate” because we believe teambuilding activities can be beneficial—when they are done effectively.

pay

Types of Bonuses You May Not Be Utilizing

Employee bonuses are often used as tools for motivation and retention. In some cases, they’re used as a means to keep base pay stable while still giving employees recognition. When salaries are increasing but salary budgets are not keeping pace, bonuses can be a way to offer recognition without changing the year-to-year obligations if circumstances […]

Employee Experience Designer: The New Role of HR

The role of HR is undergoing a transformation. Where HR traditionally focused on compliance and risk management, over the past few decades, with the growth of culture-forward companies, it’s evolved to encompass the entire experience. HR managers are now, arguably, also designers and keepers of company culture.

Hospitality

10 Ways HR Can Help First-Time Managers Succeed

In industries like manufacturing, engineering and construction, the skills gap has meant that those in nonsupervisory positions have had to move into supervisory roles. Promoting internally is a great way to build up your company, but what happens when an employee without any management experience moves into a supervisory position?

hours

Are You Responsible When Employees Don’t Report All Hours Worked?

Employers often place the burden of recording hours worked on employees. Employee handbooks may contain provisions that require employees to record and report all their time worked, and employers may require employees to verify their hours by reviewing and signing their time cards. Policies may prohibit off-the-clock work and notify employees that they must report […]

Exempt employees in California: The professional exemption

Exempt employees in California must meet specific requirements. First, they must be paid on a salary basis, and the pay must be at least twice the California minimum wage. In addition to meeting the salary requirements, each type of exemption has its own job duty requirements that must be met for an employee to qualify. […]

After setting goals, be vigilant in achieving them

by Dan Oswald If you’re like me, it’s time to turn your attention to 2014. As we move through the fourth quarter of 2013 and can see the end in sight, our thoughts turn to what we want to accomplish in the coming year. At our company, we’re in the midst of our budgeting process […]

CDC

Dissecting CDC’s New, Shorter Quarantine Options

In late 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on quarantining: In certain circumstances, individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 by being in “close contact” with a person who tested positive can take steps to reduce the length of the standard 14-day quarantine period.