Most Popular

Does Temporary Layoff Result in Right to Severance Pay?

By Derek Knoechel In early 2008, the owner of a dental practice, having recently purchased the business, faced some difficult choices. Given what appeared to be a temporary downturn in revenues, the owners decided on a temporary layoff. While permitted by employment standards laws, the employer in the recent case of Besse v. Dr. A.S. […]

input

Nobody Predicted This 2020 Trend

We’re almost 3 months into 2020 and so far, we’ve seen two major shakeups in the HR tech landscape. Last week, we reported on a merger between Kronos and Ultimate Software and just yesterday, news broke of a different tech acquisition. Out of all the 2020 HR predictions, no one saw these shakeups coming!

The Rise of Fractional HR: A Flexible Solution for Modern Business

It’s a fast-paced business environment out there. Companies of all sizes are seeking ways to remain agile, reduce costs, and still maintain high levels of efficiency. One emerging solution is fractional HR, a flexible approach to human resources management that allows businesses to access expert HR services on a part-time basis. This innovative model provides […]

Possibilities … Endless Possibilities

Yes, I know I went with a Marvel theme in my last column. But I’m the author, and that carries at least some privileges, so I’m going back to Marvel. Marvel does make it easy, as they’ve been pumping out so much content lately. Their latest offering is What If…? an animated series that ponders how […]

perfection

The Pros and Cons of Perfectionism

“Perfectionism” sounds like a positive trait to have at first glance. But is it purely positive? Or is there a downside to being a perfectionist? As we discussed in a previous post, some experts affirm the notion that there are positive aspects of being a perfectionist, but they point to some negative aspects as well.

season

Looking Ahead to 2021 After Volatile Election Season

The employment law landscape has undergone massive shifts in 2020. Here are some thoughts on the big picture and what employers may be able to learn from the embattled year of COVID-19, economic stress, racial divisions, and a volatile election.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Supreme Court Interprets ‘Substantial Fault’ Regarding Unemployment Benefits

In 2013, Wisconsin’s unemployment compensation law was amended, creating a two-tiered system for determining when an employee is disqualified from receiving benefits. The first tier, disqualifying an employee terminated for misconduct, has been the standard for more than 75 years. The second tier, which became effective January 5, 2014, disqualifies an employee terminated for “substantial […]

State Court Can Determine That a DRO Is a QDRO

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that state courts can determine that a domestic relations order (DRO) is a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). Mack v. Kuckenmeister, Nos. 09-15290, 15291 (2010). Facts. “Mike and Sarah Jones” were in the midst of divorce proceedings during 2005 and the early part of 2006. Mike had […]

Use Cases for AI in Training

There’s been a lot of discussion around the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies will displace human workers in the not-too-distant future, but there hasn’t been much discussion about the ways AI can be used as a powerful tool in supporting human workers’ training and development. Here are just a few ways […]

NLRB’s Administrative Law Judges Face Existential Challenges

Since the Supreme Court’s rulings in Loper Bright and Jarkesy, employers have wondered to what degree the High Court’s rulings would affect the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which has long regarded itself as being apart from the concerns facing other agencies. Recent actions by the courts, however, have begun to challenge the Board’s self-regard. […]