Most Popular

UnLeadership — The 4 Traits Managers Must Learn to Avoid

Here’s Oswald’s take on the “F” Word: According to the article the writer analyzed 50 recent news releases announcing coaching changes in college football and basketball. Of the 50 releases reviewed, not a single one contained the word “fired” — zip, zilch, nada. “How can that be?” Well, while none of the coaches was fired, […]

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.

Is AI Recruiting Discrimination Inevitable?

In yesterday’s Advisor, we discussed the idea that using artificial intelligence (AI) or big data in the recruiting process doesn’t eliminate problems with discrimination and bias. Perhaps counter intuitively, these methods can actually emphasize bias if we’re not careful, because the machine doesn’t know any better. It can only assess the (often imperfect) traits it […]

Employers Beware: Blanket Policies Prohibiting Workplace Recordings May Violate the NLRA 

In the past, employees recording audio or images in the workplace might resort to the use of a bulky tape recorder, a hidden “wire,” camera, or other device secured in a purse, on their person, or even a hard hat.  Now that smart phones with professional-grade audio and video capabilities are an integral part of […]

In Colorado, Holiday Incentive Pay Must Be Included When Calculating Regular Rate

On January 12, 2024, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to employers in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as two other states not included in Mountain West Employment Law Letter) asked the Colorado Supreme Court to clarify whether holiday incentive pay must be included when calculating an employee’s […]

Ask the Expert: How Do Employers Navigate FLSA Onboarding Requirements?

Question: What is considered compensable time during the onboarding process under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training? Answer: Employee onboarding involves incorporating new employees into the organization by providing necessary knowledge and skills to succeed. As […]

trust

Build the Muscle to Innovate with Trust

The pandemic has tested the plasticity of company cultures like never before. Organizations that were flexible enough to change large parts about how they operate, and do it quickly, were able to spark innovation that will outlive the circumstances that motivated those changes in the first place. In some cases, entire businesses changed, not just […]

Predictions for the HR Function in 2023

The continuously changing and increasingly important human element in the modern workplace illustrates the tremendous importance of the HR function, as well as the challenges and opportunities that function faces. HR Front and Center in Today’s Workforce As recent shake-ups to the HR function (like the COVID-19 pandemic) have demonstrated all too well, it’s impossible […]