Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Every day, the news tells you that “such and such” is the “new silent killer.” One day, we’re told that sitting will lead to a premature death; so, we go out and buy standing desks. The next day, we’re told that too much standing is bad for our health, so now what? Do we squat […]
The road to the 2016 U.S. presidential election officially begins today with the Iowa caucuses. Having grown up in Iowa, I have experienced the caucus process first-hand. It’s an interesting process that has a real grassroots feel to it, and it can produce some very interesting results that are often difficult to predict. If you’re […]
Question: A nonexempt employee works from his/her home and travels to numerous sites that cover a large geographical area each day. Does their paid time begin when they leave their house on their way to their first job site or does it start when they reach their first job site? Also, does their paid time […]
Allowing your employees to celebrate Halloween can be a fun experience and a great way to promote motivation and engagement. If you don’t plan ahead, however, you could be in for some scary results. Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Halloween is costumes, and many offices allow employees to […]
Van Parys, who is with Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP in Sacramento, offered his tips at the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition held recently in Orlando. Recent EEOC Actions Two recently filed lawsuits, in which severance agreements were called overly broad and unenforceable, may help employers fashion their own severance agreements, says Van Parys. EEOC […]
It’s becoming more common for companies to invest in learning management systems or a wide array of other cutting-edge training programs. But a recent survey suggests these companies might be overlooking one of the most valuable training resources at their disposal: their own employees.
Question: How can we discipline a new employee who takes unplanned, unexcused days off for sickness, family emergencies, etc.? We don’t currently have a policy on how many unexcused days off are allowed. Answer: Wisconsin employers have an interest in ensuring employees don’t engage in misconduct, including unplanned, unexcused time off from work. Accordingly, the […]
You may soon need to ban the use of fragrances in your workplace—even if no one is allergic. Why? Because you may be using your employees’ unique body odors as their security IDs. While biometric security systems based on iris patterns or finger swirls can be breached through computer duplication, it’s more difficult for anyone […]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) took steps toward allowing automatic small-balance 401(k) plan transfers to a new employer’s plan in a job change by proposing to exempt a vendor’s auto-portability program from some prohibited-transaction restrictions.
Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. While many do like it, many others have concerns, including employees who may fear AI has the potential to replace them. Still, certain roles remain uniquely human, resisting the AI takeover. A recent article from BBC Worklife delves into this important topic, highlighting jobs […]