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North Dakota eases PTO payout rules

by Lisa Edison-Smith Because of new legislation taking effect August 1, private-sector employers in North Dakota will find it easier to avoid paying out unused paid time off (PTO) or vacation time when employees quit. Under the old law, an employer was required to pay a departing employee for any PTO or vacation time that […]

10 Questions for Aligning HR Metrics with Business Goals

HR metrics are only helpful if they're measuring the things that matter. The HR metrics need to be aligned with the big picture: they need to help the company achieve its strategic goals. To do that, the HR team must fully understand the strategic goals and direction of the business. Next, the data must be […]

What laws restrict drug testing policies in California?

“Drug testing of private sector employees and applicants in California implicates the right of privacy set forth in Article 1, Section 1 of the California Constitution.” Marc Jacuzzi told us in a recent CER webinar. “That is where individual employee rights lie for private employers.” But what about safety concerns? Do they trump privacy concerns?

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The Mueller Team Worked Without Cell Phones

I was intrigued by one aspect of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Russian meddling in the 2016 election—and it has nothing to do with President Donald Trump. What caught my attention was a reference in The New York Times about his interesting approach to mobile devices. “Mueller’s team investigating Russia’s role in the […]

Can Employees and Independent Contractors Do the Same Work for the Company?

Hiring managers often look for the most economic or efficient way to bring new people on board. Sometimes this means hiring independent contractors, using recruiting firms, or hiring employees directly, and sometimes it means using a mix of these and other options. But what if a candidate specifically requests to be an independent contractor? Or, […]

3 Steps to Make Workplace Religious Accommodations for Islamic Prayer

Few issues are more sensitive for employers than accommodating employees’ religious practices and observances. In recent years, Muslim employees and their employers have struggled with how to handle the religious requirement to perform obligatory prayers while at work. Here are some suggestions.

Texas ‘Guns at Work’ Law Goes into Effect September 1

The new Texas state law that allows employees to bring guns to work, so long as they are secured in a locked vehicle, goes into effect September 1. Senate Bill 321 was passed in the state legislature in May and was signed by Governor Rick Perry on June 17. The law allows employees who are […]

“Yellowjackets” Star Is Body Shamed on Set by a Co-Worker—Is That Illegal?

Melanie Lynskey, a star of the new Showtime series Yellowjackets, recently recounted an incident in which a coworker allegedly criticized her body on set. According to Lynskey, a production team member asked her what she planned to do about her weight and suggested that the show’s producers would be willing to hire a personal trainer […]