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Employer’s COBRA Notice Missteps Mean it Must Provide Retiree with Retroactive Coverage, Pay Statutory Penalties

Employers that provide retiree medical coverage for certain employees need to carefully consider how to integrate that retiree medical coverage with continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Many employers assume that if retirees receive retiree medical coverage at subsidized rates (or even for free), then no COBRA coverage has to be […]

Never Say Never, and Never Say These 4 Things

[Go here for killer phrases 1 to 6.] 7. AVOID: “… don’t you think?”  Or, “… isn’t it?” Or “… okay?”  To convey a confident commanding presence, eliminate validation questions. Make your statement or recommendation with certainty and avoid tacking on the unnecessary approval-seeking question.  Don’t say, “This would be a good investment, don’t you […]

Equality in Expectations of Personal Life Obligations

Workplace flexibility has become increasingly important in recent years. That trend has accelerated in the wake of a pandemic involving illness and a forced shift to remote work for many organizations. More than ever, employees expect some flexibility to leave work early or take a long lunch to run an errand, work remotely, and take […]

10 Ways Employers Negate Their FMLA Rights

Although the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been in effect since 1993, employers still make administrative mistakes that limit their rights and can lead to litigation. Here is my Top 10 list of employer and supervisor misconceptions about the FMLA that limit their ability to manage employee leave use or to defend against […]

Considerations in Drafting a Workplace Violence Policy

Many companies have decided in recent years to implement internal policies regarding workplace violence. Typically, these policies include such items as what employees should do if they witness violence and/or hear threats concerning violence in the workplace. Some workplace violence policies also address what investigative efforts management will use upon receiving notice that an alleged […]

career

Helping Employees See a Clear Growth Pathway

Today’s workforce, especially the younger generations, values growth and development. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Skills Gap 2019 report indicates that “over 50% of respondents feel that skills shortages have worsened or greatly worsened in their organizations in the last two years,” says Gabriel S. Clevenger, assistant vice president of enrollment […]

The Rise of the 4-Day Workweek                                                      

The decade ahead will likely be known for innovations we haven’t even imagined yet. In the workplace, it may be known for the rise of a new way of scheduling employees: the 4-day workweek. As overwork has become a chronic issue, entire countries have started piloting and testing shorter workweeks. Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland […]

Seeking Clarity in a Game of Thrones and Joint Employment

Warning: While I won’t spoil any details related to last night’s season 8 premiere, there will be spoilers potentially up through the end of Season 7. So, if you’re not caught up, you may want to run away—I’ll make sure to “Hold the Door” for you. With a constant shift in alliances due to necessity, […]