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X-Men playing catch-up on genetics–the real-life wave of the present

Remember when the study of genetic information was deemed to be the purview of those in the medical field or reserved for films and television shows that were classified as “futuristic science fiction”? Not anymore. Today we live in a world where everyone is fully aware that their own genetic code and family history could […]

Pregnancy—Was Termination Legit, or Was It Discrimination?

By Beth Kahn and Timothy J. Toohey A California employer fired a pregnant employee for violating its policy on reporting missing customer deposits. On appeal, the California Court of Appeal considered whether the employee had a claim for pregnancy discrimination and whether the employer had a legitimate reason for terminating her.

Another Gong Sounds for the End to Mandatory Retirement

By Ralph N. Nero and Keri L. Bennett Following the earlier lead of many Canadian provinces, the federal government has now outlawed mandatory retirement for federally regulated employers such as banks, telecommunications companies, airlines, and railways. Like many provincial governments have done, the federal government has repealed provisions under the Canadian Human Rights Act that […]

Leave Banks: Can We Deduct Partial-Day Absences from Exempt Employees’ Leave Banks?

We seem to have come across a conflict related to exempt employee leave banks. We want to deduct from our exempt employees’ leave banks for partial-day absences. We understand that the California Labor Commissioner has indicated that accrued leave time may not be used to replace salary for partial-day absences. However, I see that a […]

‘How’m I Doin’?’ Employee Survey Helps Answer that Question

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob Brady invites you to take stock of employee satisfaction at your organization—and find out how you compare to similar employers—with the BLR® National Employee Attitude Survey. Third edition The former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, was famous for asking people, “How’m I doin’?” He’d ask […]

Can Employees Choose to Work Instead of Take a Meal Break?

The California Supreme Court is currently considering the scope of employer meal break obligations under state law. The question before the court is whether employers must only “provide” a meal break, or “ensure” that employees take meal breaks. There’s no indication of when the court will be making its ruling.

employee

Recruiting for the Most Promising Career Fields in 2019

School is starting across the nation and many college students will be picking majors or finalizing career plans as the year unfolds. For recruiters in some industries, your selection options will be ripe for the picking, but for others, you may be faced with the same challenges you’ve been struggling with for much of 2018.

Random Thoughts on FLSA Administrative Exemption

by Kara E. Shea I’ve been working with several clients lately on Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance issues — specifically, on exemption classification audits. During an audit, I review all the jobs an employer has deemed exempt from overtime under the FLSA and try to decide whether the positions have been correctly classified. It’s […]

AI

Creating Strategic HR and Innovation—A Practitioner’s Perspective

By Holly Kortright To be a true strategic business partner to executives, the HR department must take a business-oriented approach to the human capital side of the organization, says Kortright. She shares what it means to be an HR leader who is a strategic business partner engaged in creating the future. Kortright is Senior Vice […]

Labor Day: September 6, 2010

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one […]