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Donning + Doffing = Divided Decisions

The Supreme Court has refused to resolve competing appeals court views on the nature of donning and doffing, denying certiorari in Mountaire Farms Inc. v. Perez in late February. Perez is the latest in a series of cases in which petitioners ask for further clarification on when employees must be paid for putting on and […]

What Can a Maestro Teach You About Management?

In his “surprising story about leading by listening,” Maestro Roger Nierenberg shares penetrating insights about leadership as learned from observing an orchestra at work. In his recent book, Maestro (Portfolio, Oct. 2009), Nierenberg compiles leadership lessons that come from managers who have participated in his “Music Paradigm,” a management training activity he presents using a […]

Policies designed to protect employees may do more harm than good

by Jeremy M. Brenner The law prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants based on a number of protected statuses. Employers often implement policies that are intended to benefit workers but actually cause illegal systemic discrimination. Unfortunately, no matter how genuine an employer’s good intentions are, they typically do not excuse it from discriminatory conduct. Read […]

Verbal COBRA Notice Is Sufficient, Says Court in Ruling for Employer

In a decision that overlooked key COBRA guidance, a federal district court ruled that an employer/plan administrator fulfilled its notice obligation by verbally providing a notice of COBRA rights and accepting premium payments — which apparently the qualified beneficiary had to pay a few days after her employment termination. In dismissing a COBRA notice claim, […]

Are You Loading Up on Loading Dock Safety Training for the Holidays?

  Although holiday shopping seems to start earlier and earlier each year, the “official” start of the holiday shopping season is still the day after Thanksgiving. If your organization involves shipping services and is affected by the busy holiday season, this is a good time for loading dock safety training. Your training may be: Initial […]

DEIB Starts at the Job Posting

In the bustling marketplace of job opportunities, where companies vie for top talent, the job posting stands as the initial handshake—an introduction that can either captivate or repel potential candidates. But beyond the standard qualifications and responsibilities, there lies a deeper layer—one that speaks to the heart of organizational culture and values. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, […]

Employers need to be ready for new overtime rule by December 1

The flurry of speculation is finally over. The White House and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have released the new final rule governing which workers must be paid overtime. The changes aren’t quite as drastic as what employers were preparing for based on the contents of the proposed rule made public last summer, but […]

How To Prevent Off-the-Clock Work

Yesterday we looked at 7 deadly timeclock sins that even conscientious employers are often guilty of. Today, we’ll look at attorney Sandra Rappaport’s tips for prevention. We’ll also tell you about a comprehensive wage/hour resource, specifically for California employers, that can help keep you out of trouble.

Race Bias: EEOC Sues Employer Over Rap Music in Workplace

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued Novellus Systems, Inc., based in San Jose, charging that the company fired African-American employee Michael Cooke because he complained about having to listen to a co-worker’s rap music, which contained racially offensive lyrics. The lawsuit alleges that Cooke complained to his supervisors that a co-worker played […]