Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Oswald, CEO of BLR, shared his thoughts about the article in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter: The article caught my attention for a number of reasons. I love the “Live Generously” lead. I just think it’s a great concept. Add to it the teen and business angles, and I was hooked. The article […]
by Douglas R. Chamberlain When facing financial difficulties, employees often look to their retirement plans as a possible source of needed funds. Many plans offer participant loans or permanent withdrawals, the latter generally on a hardship basis. However, plan loans and withdrawals can jeopardize the employee’s retirement benefits, and both are subject to complex rules […]
by Richard Reinhardt Unscheduled absenteeism costs American businesses billions of dollars every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are myriad potential costs to take into account, including: Overtime; Paid sick days; Use of temporary or “relief/reserve” employees; Reduced productivity; Poor quality of goods or services resulting from replacement workers’ inexperience […]
In May, we reported that a Sonoma County jury awarded $6.5 million to county MediCal caseworker George Alberigi, who claimed the county’s human services department refused to accommodate his agoraphobia (fear of going outside) and panic disorder when he applied for a promotion. The jury’s verdict included $1.5 million in economic damages and just under […]
I’ve read about the new 401(k) Supreme Court case. How far back can employees sue us if they claim we mishandled their retirement accounts? And how can we protect ourselves now for something that might have already happened? — Anonymous
Part of your job involves making sure employees are working in a safe environment from the moment they clock in to the time they leave work. But what about all the hours before and after?
Independent Contractors: A Sample Agreement A written independent contractor agreement can be essential to document the mutual understanding between you and the contractor that the person is not an employee. Below is a sample general agreement that you can use. A word of caution: Before using the form, be sure to consult with your lawyer […]
by Gilda Villaran Employers whose employees must apply for a work permit or extension in order to work in Canada should be aware of a new compliance form and fee that they must submit before the person applies for the work permit. This came into effect February 21. Ports of entry into Canada may refuse […]
Yesterday we looked at some research about the widespread nature of telecommuting. Today we’ll take a look at BLR’s guidance on legal issues revolving around telecommuting.
By Jennifer Carsen, JD, Senior Legal Editor Over the past several years, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the increased number of gluten-free products on the grocery shelves … gluten-free menus at restaurants … and more and more friends and family who are choosing to “go gluten-free.”