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’Tis But a Scratch! Do I Still Have to File an OSHA Claim?

In the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Black Knight (played by John Cleese) sustains an injury while guarding a bridge—literally just a piece of wood—and proclaims, “’Tis but a scratch!” The scratch, in fact, turns out to be a complete amputation of his left arm, but that doesn’t stop him from guarding […]

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Rethinking Work/Life Balance

For many workers, particularly those spending most of their time in an office, the line between work hours and personal hours started to blur significantly with technological advances like e-mail, cell phones, and smartphones. These tools largely eliminated the need for staff to be in the office for their teams or bosses to reach them, […]

Must an Employer Grant Permanent Intermittent FMLA Leave?

Maybe not, according to a recent decision from the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case has many people wondering if reevaluation of the word “leave” in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be on the  horizon. FMLA Complete Compliance Perception may be reality . . . In February 2007, Charlene Wisbey […]

Questions and answers on CFRA, FMLA leave in California

It’s crucial for California employers to get the information needed to properly designate absences so that FMLA/CFRA leave can be administered legally. But proper administration isn't always black and white. For example, if an employee's doctor advises that he or she is under the care of specialists, can an employer require that the specialist complete the FMLA certification?

‘Foreseeable’ and ‘As Soon as Practicable”–2 of FMLA’s Key Concepts

FMLA—always rated the number one headache (well, migraine) for HR managers. Learning the definitions of “foreseeable” and “as soon as practicable” helps lessen the pain. When Leave Is Foreseeable When the need for leave is foreseeable, the law requires that employees provide their employers with at least 30 days’ advance notice before FMLA is to […]

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Level Up Your HR Practices: How To Clarify Your HR Needs

HR is an ever-evolving road to finding out what works best for your organization and, most importantly, its people. Finding the best solution is no easy task. It’s too easy to get bogged down by inefficient or frustrating systems and outdated practices and for the “human” element of HR to fall by the wayside. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Minimum Wage Hike and Paid Leave Program Coming to Massachusetts

A new law will soon take effect in Massachusetts, where employees will be eligible for paid family and medical leave and will also see an increase in the minimum wage. Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill on June 28, which will require all private employers in the state to offer paid family and medical leave […]

Form I-9s—Still a Hassle and Audits Are Heating Up

Immigration is a hot issue, and that means increased scrutiny of Employment Eligibility Verification Forms (more commonly known as a Form I-9). Attorney Roger Tsai clarified employer responsibilities at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium held recently in Las Vegas. IRCA’s Requirements The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) requires every employer to complete […]