Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Tammy Binford Is it a sensible plan to boost productivity and give workers the help they deserve, or is it an unaffordable, unfair mandate on already overburdened employers? President Barack Obama’s announcement of a push to pass a paid sick leave law is likely to garner both reactions. Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to […]
In late April 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) signaled its intent to revisit the “persuader rule,” an Obama-era regulation that imposed strict reporting requirements on employers facing union organization. Although the rule hasn’t yet been reinstated and will almost certainly face significant opposition, you should be aware of […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we explored some of the situations you might find yourself in should a former employee request a reference. Today, what you can do to keep the situation out of the courtroom. Staying Out of Court As we discussed in yesterday’s Advisor, there’s no shortage of risks for employers when giving references for […]
Summer is right around the corner and for employers that hire minors or use college students as unpaid interns, you should take the time to review your hiring practices to make sure they are in compliance with federal law.
A hospital company accused of using participant funds to pay “excessive fees” for retirement plan administration services agreed to a $32 million class-action settlement and extensive adjustments in the way it selects and reviews the plan’s portfolio. As more participant suits are filed accusing defined contribution plans of overpaying for investment and administration services, it’s […]
Understanding overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can be one of the more challenging responsibilities HR professionals face. The complexity of exempt classifications—particularly for executive, administrative, and professional employees—requires diligence, especially as roles and salary thresholds evolve. On September 11, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling in Mayfield v. U.S. Department […]
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in an era of more worker flexibility and more understanding shown to them by some employers. But as society returned to near normal, the empathetic trend waned. Many employees were commanded to come back to the office against their wishes, and millions joined the Great Resignation. Research shows some CEOs and […]
At a time when new social media platforms and practices have dramatically changed how we communicate, relate to each other, and share information, understanding the professional implications of social media activity has become increasingly important.
by Mary B. Andersen, CEBS, ERPA, QPA ‘Lost in Space” was a popular television series in the 1960s. Sabotage by crew member Dr. Zachary Smith threw the ship off course and launched endless adventures. Today’s equivalent of Dr. Smith is an unauthorized computer hacker who breaks into data security systems and wreaks havoc on confidential […]
Can big data solve your HR problems? The important thing to remember is that the basis of big data is statistics, and you have to be careful interpreting results. So-called confounding variables may muddy the waters. For example: History can intervene. The measurement may have been accurate, but things changed during the measuring period and […]