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Together or Not at All: Redefining Leadership Creates a More Equitable Workplace

The “girl boss” is dead. We’re done urging women to work harder, push harder, and “lean in” harder just for equal treatment. While this shift is too long in coming, the increasingly popular alternative of “lazy girl jobs” isn’t the solution either. Our culture has created a false dichotomy between the hyper-driven career woman and […]

Encouraging Employees to Play a Role in Sustainability is Good Business

Sustainability is a core part of the business model for Restaurant Technologies, a company that recycles used restaurant cooking oil for more than 45,000 restaurant chains, independent restaurants, grocers, hotels, casinos, universities, and hospitals across the U.S. Last year, our work led to over 314 million pounds of used cooking oil no longer going into […]

Reform’s PCORI Fees Must Be Paid for Retiree-only and COBRA Plan Members

Employer sponsors of health plans must count members in retiree-only plans and COBRA-eligible plans for purposes of paying into health reform’s Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Furthermore, employees covered under two or more “specified” policies can be counted (and taxed) more than once. The IRS final rule on employer payment of PCORI fees disregarded employer requests to exclude […]

Unions Win Portion of WV Court Battle Over Fees, Dues

A West Virginia judge has invalidated portions of a state statute that allowed private-sector employees in union-represented jobs to avoid paying union dues, fees, or other assessments for collective-bargaining representation or instead pay an equivalent amount to a third-party charity.

Proposed Rule Aims to Expand Use of Fluctuating Workweek

A new proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) intends to clarify that employers who pay nonexempt workers bonuses or other incentive-based pay in addition to a fixed salary can use the fluctuating workweek (FWW) method of paying overtime as a way to keep costs down as long as other requirements for using […]

Should Canadian Employers Give Employment References?

By Tina Giesbrecht and Lana Jackson McCarthy Tetrault Employers often ask whether they should give employment references to employees and former employees. This decision can be a difficult one with possible negative consequences for either course of action. Whatever decision is made, it’s important to consistently apply one policy regarding reference letters. Q. What are […]

9 Legal Landmines for Untrained (and maybe Trained) Interviewers

Even seasoned interviewers can inadvertently ask questions that lead to legal problems. That’s why the first rule in interviewing is "Innocent questions can lead to trouble." "An interview is essentially a pretty casual conversation, particularly if it goes well," says Amy Berecek. And in a conversation, it’s just human nature to ask people if they’re […]

Best of Faces of HR: Pro Advice

As we say goodbye to 2023 and look toward a new year, we couldn’t be more excited to share timely news and commentary with our dedicated HRDA audience. For our Faces of HR column this week, we look back at some of our favorite Faces and share their expert insights from the front lines of creating better workplaces. So, […]

Begging for Lawsuits: 7 Stupid Things Supervisors Say

Supervisors and managers with the best of intentions say the worst possible things. Some are said out of concern and some out of a desire to “act like a manager.” But they’re all dangerous. Here’s a rogues’ gallery of 7 of the most troublesome. 1) I think you’re depressed. Shouldn’t you see somebody? Comments like […]