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Want to be Top Talent: Be a Maverick!

Generally speaking, sequels aren’t great. They always try to live up to the precedent set by the film that came before it, often falling short. The best sequels avoid that dangerous pitfall by changing the game. They look to the new as opposed to living in the past- which is why I liked the recently […]

Steps to Take Before Installing Video Surveillance at Work

Question:         We plan to install security cameras in the production area of our nonunion food packaging facility because of an increase in damaged product and safety incidents. Can we post signs at all entrances stating surveillance cameras are in use, or do we need to have each employee sign a waiver? Answer:   Generally, you may monitor […]

How to Build a Collaborative and Interconnected Global Workforce

Building and sustaining collaborative, interconnected teams is challenging, especially when managing a distributed global workforce. Before the pandemic disrupted people’s personal and professional lives, employee engagement and well-being were on a 10-year upswing, but that trend was upended. A 2022 Gallup survey found that just 32% of employees are engaged at work. Instead, employees resonate […]

FMLA Leave: Tom Brady Plays Through the Pain–Why Can’t You?

It’s no-pain, no-gain for Tom Brady, but pressuring employees to work while injured may violate the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Love him or hate him, you have to give it to Tom Brady–the man is dedicated to his sport. Last week, he was called upon once again to play through the pain and […]

‘Street Sign Search’ Lands Recent Grad Her Dream Job

“Everything old is new again,” says the song from the Broadway show Chicago. A jobseeker recently found this axiom to be true. When her Internet-only search for a marketing position didn’t work, she tried some old methods and landed her dream job!

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Overtime: Are Mortgage Loan Underwriters Exempt ‘Administrative’ Employees?

Among the various “exemptions” from the overtime compensation requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are “administrative” employees. The question presented in a recent decision by the 9th Circuit—which covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington—was whether mortgage loan underwriters who work for lending banks fit the administrative exemption.

FMLA Leave: Expert Answers Employer’s Questions

Administering FMLA leave is not always a simple task. Sometimes even the simplest questions become complex, such as how long is a week of FMLA leave when it’s taken in hours instead of in a full block of time? Do FMLA medical certifications expire? What certification can be requested when an employee is taking FMLA […]

Today’s HR Leaders Must Play Both Offense and Defense When Managing a Workforce Reduction

2023 is not just another year of disruptions. It’s a year in which business and HR leaders must play defense and offense at the same time. This means performing a realistic appraisal of the current situation—inflation, recessionary concerns, and geopolitical instability—and making defensive adjustments to the business that may involve cutting back on staff. At […]