Most Popular

Employee Uniforms: Fashion Giant Hit With Lawsuit Over Dress Requirements; What’s Permitted–And What’s Not

Current and former employees of Polo Ralph Lauren have filed suit in San Francisco against the fashion retailer. Their claim? That the employer violated state wage and hour rules by requiring them to spend thousands of dollars a year on the company’s clothing to wear on the job. The lawsuit is causing heads to turn […]

Hiring Employees: EEOC Proposes Definition Of Who’s An Applicant For E-Cruiting Purposes, Part 1; What You Should Know

In response to the meteoric rise of Internet-related high-tech recruiting, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), working with several other federal agencies, has released long-awaited proposed guidelines defining who employers must count as an applicant to comply with federal recordkeeping and affirmative action rules. In this first installment of our two-part series on the […]

NLRA and NLRB 101

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is the primary piece of legislation that protects employee rights to collectively discuss working conditions and to work together to negotiate for changes when needed. These rights are enforced by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

trends

Popular New Benefits Reflect Changing Workforce

In the ongoing battle for benefits supremacy, employers are increasingly offering perks that probably never would have even crossed their minds just a decade ago. As with so many changes in the workplace these days, the shift has been prompted by Millennials, who are drawn by more than the bottom-line salary.

The Basics of Finance-Speak

To implement an effective compensation and benefits program, you need to speak the language of the CFO, and it can be daunting. Perceptions sometimes block understanding, says Clare Novak, president of Novak and Associates. We think “I can’t do this” or “This is boring,” and we get in our own way. But you can do […]

Wage and Hour Simple? The 10 Sins

Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 an hour until you learn the ropes; then you move up to $7 an hour. Virtually all employees are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage (the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; many states have higher minimum wages) for all […]

8 Steps to Stopping Intermittent/Reduced Leave Abuse

Alexis, who offered his intermittent leave tips during BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, held recently in Las Vegas, is with the Kinaga Law Firm in Los Angeles. 1. Insist on Complete Certs Make sure the medical certification is fully completed, urges Alexis. As the employer, you are entitled to a complete and sufficient certification document. […]

Successfully Recruit Manufacturing Workers with a Strong Culture

Company culture—whether orchestrated or not, every company has its own.  A strong culture appreciates and empowers employees, extending way beyond the occasional “pizza party” day or annual recognition program.  All the large and small layers that define a company’s culture can add up to attracting and retaining employees.