Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Cell phones are a quintessential tool in modern society, including within the realm of employment. Many employers use various data networks that allow employees to access and store the employer’s data on their own personal cell phones or other personal devices under “bring your own device” (BYOD) practices. Allowing employees access to employer data from […]
Under the Biden administration, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attempted to pursue a robust regulatory approach to restrict noncompete agreements. Those efforts were derailed in August 2024, however, when a federal court enjoined the FTC rule (which had tried to outlaw most noncompetes). Employers that thought noncompete agreements wouldn’t be an issue with the Trump […]
One of the biggest financial challenges for millions of employees in the United States is paying off student loan debt. According to the Federal Reserve, total student loan balances in the second quarter of this year hit $1.64 trillion—a number that has increased threefold in just two decades. After the pause on student loan payments […]
Weight is not a protected characteristic in most civil rights laws, meaning workplace discrimination based on weight is largely permitted. There is some momentum to include weight as a protected category in civil rights laws, however, given the growing body of research on the impact of weight bias. Employees who have high body weight may […]
There has never been a more important time to hire cybersecurity experts than in the world we live in today, where theft of digital information is the most commonly reported fraud. One alarming trend, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, is the prevalence of employees faking applications and fraudulently accepting remote positions in companies […]
Not unexpectedly, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly affecting the collective bargaining relationship between labor and management, and the following case discussion addresses both legal and practical aspects of AI’s impact on bargaining. ‘More Machine Now Than Man’ In May, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice […]
Employers may recall that earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) limiting the recognition of gender to male and female. Texas Governor Greg Abbott then passed a similar directive shortly after and has also signed a bill into law that could affect how employers should address their employees. However, employers shouldn’t neglect […]
When budgets tighten—whether because of a federal government shutdown, grant cuts, manufacturing slowdowns, or a dip in tourism—some employers face the difficult decision to reduce staff. If layoffs are on the table, approach them with empathy, clarity, and legal diligence. Key considerations Consider these factors in connection with potential layoffs: Confirm layoffs are a last […]
If you’ve ever watched Succession, you know that the show is a fierce exploration of power, influence, and legacy, with each member of the Roy family vying to be the voice and changemaker of their family-owned company. At its core, Succession is not just about business; it’s about who gets to speak, who gets to […]
Institutions around the country are in turmoil, subject to loud clamoring about events in the Middle East. Many members of their communities are making claims of anti-Semitism, while there are counterclaims of Islamophobia. Public universities and institutions may have no way to avoid those disruptions, but fortunately private employers need not be pulled into that […]