Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
I’m tasked with making a recommendation concerning arbitration agreements for our employees. My questions are: Do you recommend these agreements? For all employees? How do we go about establishing this for new and current employees? Any particular pitfalls to watch out for? — Elaine, HR Specialist in Encino The typical employee arbitration agreement requires […]
By Troy D. Thompson of Axley Brynelson, LLP Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided that time spent by employees putting on and taking off company-required clothing to comply with federal regulations is compensable time for which they must be paid. The court’s decision is largely consistent with a line of other recent decisions […]
by Cathleen S. Yonahara A new California law taking effect January 1, 2014, grants overtime pay for at least the next three years to domestic workers who are personal attendants. Under old state law, “personal attendants” are exempt from statutory overtime and meal and rest break provisions, but they are not exempt from minimum wage […]
Once a terminated employeehas signed a release promising not to sue and has cashed theirseverance check, you probably think you are free from their legalclaims against you. In most cases, you’d be right. But you couldbe in for an expensive surprise if the employee is 40 years orolder and your paperwork isn’t perfect. That’s because […]
Training is often perceived as a soft science. But to train better and to get more funding for training, consider doing it “by the numbers.” These days, business is increasingly ruled by numbers. But there are some things that can’t be quantified, right? Like how the human mind can be affected by training. Not so, […]
Governor Gray Davis has just signed new legislation that requires employers to allow workers to use sick leave not only when they are ill, but also to care for a sick child or other family member. The law means many workers can now take paid time off – without being sick themselves – when, for […]
What legal right do bosses have to monitor their workers’ communications, especially when sent through new technologies? The answer (as usual) is: It depends. Yesterday’s Advisor briefed you on the subject of electronic surveillance of your employees. We summarized the pros and cons of looking at your employees’ e-mails, instant messages (IMs), and other communications, […]
By Jeffrey Phillips and Alex Verjovsky You’ve heard the saying “fighting the last war”. It refers to preparing to compete using familiar techniques, against competitors you’ve faced before, in the same markets or industries, only to discover that the rules have changed. Modern business competition is changing rapidly, and to compete effectively, you need to […]
I’m so uncomfortable when I have to fire someone.Do you have any suggestions of phrases or techniques I can use to “soften the blow”? Here’s what you had to say: “Softening the blow” can seem like a thoughtful and considerate act, but it’s actually quite dangerous from a legal standpoint, as we found […]