Most Popular

Are California employers legally obligated to have a PTO policy?

Are California employers required to implement a paid time off (PTO) policy? It may seem so, since paid-time-off banks (as opposed to sick leave banks) are becoming increasingly popular. It may be surprising to learn that California law doesn’t actually require employers to provide PTO, vacation, sick time (with limited exceptions), or even paid holidays.

FLSA Exemptions: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls

Yesterday we heard advice from expert Kara Shea concerning Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemptions and audits. Today, more from Shea on how to stay out of legal hot water when it comes to these tricky matters.

Why Can’t You Fill that Vacancy?

Employers today are finding that some roles remain stubbornly hard to fill or difficult to keep filled. Sometimes it’s a lack of applicants. Sometimes the applicants aren’t qualified. Sometimes the applicant makes it through the process, only to turn down the offer or ghost the employer. Such frustrations are commonplace, and they’re driving up the […]

Employer’s Negligence Results in $1.85 Million COBRA Notice Penalty

A large employer was socked with $1.85 million in COBRA notice penalties, plus still-to-be determined attorney’s fees, for neglecting its duty as plan administrator to ensure that COBRA election notices were sent on a timely basis. The company’s negligence occurred over several years, affecting hundreds of former employees who participated in a class action lawsuit. […]

The Cost of Compliance? Applying Risk Assessment to FLSA Exemptions

By Holly Jones, JD, Senior Legal Editor During her recent master class on the upcoming changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) white collar exemptions, Kara Shea shared a wealth of advanced, in-depth legal information on wage and hour compliance. She also shared a little of the practical business strategy that comes from her […]

The Job Stops Here: HR’s Role in Effective Terminations

People who make firing decisions always think they are doing “the righteous thing,” says attorney Edward M. Richters,” but that’s not what counts. How it plays to the judge, the jury, and the EEOC is what counts.” Richters comments came at a workplace law symposium sponsored by national employment law firm Jackson Lewis and the […]

Ain’t No Business Like Snow Business

Litigation Value: Not much, yet; but, potentially millions if Dwight goes on a murderous rampage. Is hurling snowballs really that big a deal?! Last week, it was the Cincinnati Bearcats mascot; this week, it’s Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert — one gets arrested, the other two undergo corrective counseling. Having already addressed the tribulations of […]

Language of Prosperity: Multilingual Employees

By Claudia N. Lombardo It’s hard to believe there was a day when nonnative English-speaking parents disapproved of their children learning any language other than English. Today, many parents embrace foreign languages as a stepping stone to their children’s economic success. That’s because businesses often prosper from employing bilingual and multilingual staff. The Vast Melting […]