Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
This season, the network that originally brought you “COPS” is giving the oversaturated police-television show market a somewhat fresh take through its cop comedy called “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” The show stars Andy Samberg as Det. Jake Peralta, a “talented, but carefree” (Fox’s words—not mine) detective dealing with his new hard-nosed, rule-following boss, played by Andre Braugher. […]
By Eowynne Noble Peanuts, gluten, perfumes, smoke, and latex—we all know allergies to these and other substances are on the rise. And workplaces aren’t immune to the problem. More and more employees are suffering from allergies and sensitivities than ever before. To put it in perspective, Health Canada recently reported that up to four percent […]
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?
Yesterday, we looked at various issues relating to employees with allergies or sensitivities to various scents and smells. Today: Must you permit the scent-sensitive to work from home?
It seems that the number of people with allergies or sensitivities to various scents and smells has grown substantially. Some of those allergies can be severe, causing severe respiratory difficulties and other serious health issues.
It’s crucial for employers to understand their obligations under both California and federal leave and disability laws—especially given the recent changes to California’s pregnancy disability leave (PDL) regulations. Let’s start with some PDL basics:
Addressing depression and related mental disabilities and meeting reasonable accommodation requirements is a delicate balance. Often, employees who are in this situation will have a preconceived idea of what work restrictions would benefit them as an accommodation, and they ask their healthcare providers to state those things as a work restriction when they obtain medical […]
Dealing with depression and other mental disabilities in the workplace can be challenging. This is especially true if an employer also has to combat negative attitudes towards the affected employees that hinder compliance with the law. California employers need to be aware of assumptions and attitudes about emotional or mental disabilities that can lead to […]
Because many mental disabilities are hard to spot, hard to diagnose, and hard to handle, employers may either give too much attention (fear, stigma, termination) or too little (pretending they don’t exist). Either approach is problematic.
If you have a nondiscretionary bonus plan that is awarded to nonexempt employees at intervals greater than each week (for example, on a quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis), you are required to retroactively calculate the bonus into the employee’s “regular rate” of pay.