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4 Pitfalls of Improper FMLA/CFRA Tracking

It is generally in your best interest to capture all absences that are Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)‐related, says consultant Kristi McKinzey, PHR. She offers four common hazards employers face when they don’t track all absences.

health

2017 Health Insurance Premium Increases Higher Than Average

A new survey conducted among over 20,000 health plans and over 11,000 employers of all sizes-representing over 2.5 million employees—reports that premium renewal rates for employer sponsored health insurance rose an average of 6.6% in 2017. According to the 2017 United Benefit Advisors (UBA) Health Plan Survey, this is a significant increase over the previous […]

Training for Soft Skills: A Critical Post-Pandemic Mandate

In recent years, discussions around the importance of soft skills in the workplace have become much more common, and soft skills are starting to seem increasingly less “soft” and increasingly valuable. The ability to work well with teammates, to lead groups, and to communicate effectively are seen by many as equally important to the ability […]

engagement

The High Cost of Low Employee Engagement

By Daniel Kurber The impact of unengaged employees in your organization can be costly. According to Gallup’s most recent study of the American workplace, 52% of United States workers are unengaged and 18% are actively disengaged. What is the cost of a 70% unengaged workforce?

contract

Trump Campaign Case Offers Lesson on Value of Carefully Written Employment Contracts

A recent New York trial court decision demonstrates the importance of carefully drafting employment contracts. In the high-profile case, Judge Arlene P. Bluth sided with the employee in rejecting the employer’s attempt to force an employment claim into arbitration. On the surface, the case is notable because the defending party was the Trump for President […]

State Leave Laws Continue to Expand in 2026: What Multistate Employers Should Know

The new year, as always, brings with it new developments in labor and employment law. Likewise, the ever-growing labyrinth of state and local paid leave laws, including paid sick leave and family and medical leave laws, continues to develop in 2026. Some states have expanded their existing leave provisions, while others are enacting wholly new […]

online

HR Compliance Checklist for Hiring Online Talent

Hiring online staff can be challenging but also rewarding. Use these best practices to avoid future HR challenges, maintain compliance, and ensure your workforce is moving in the right direction.

Are Employees on Leave Talking and Texting? (FLSA)

[Go here for risks 1 to 5.] 6. Fair Labor Standards Act Risks For exempt employees, employers must pay the full salary for any workweek, regardless of the number of days or hours worked. Therefore, if an exempt employee is on an unpaid leave of absence and uses an electronic device to check or respond […]

meeting

Importance of Annual Off-Site Meetings

Many readers have been part of, or have at least heard from friends and family, about annual off-site meetings. These are often once-a-year gatherings—either of all employees or perhaps all employees of a particular seniority level—where the previous year’s progress and results are reviewed and the goals and objectives for the coming year are unveiled […]