Sometimes, the payment of bonuses is at the discretion of the employer. But at other times, bonus payments are required under the terms of an applicable employment agreement. When that is the case – and the bonuses aren't paid –…
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Intrusive, intimate questions. Unwanted physical contact. A senior official publicly engaging in inappropriate conduct at an office holiday party. That’s what happened at a county public defender’s office, according to a sexual harassment complaint submitted to the California Civil Rights…
The IRS has released proposed regulations, giving businesses needed details about tracking and reporting income based on tips. The One Big Beatiful Bill Act (OBBBA) had set October 2, 2025, as the deadline for publishing a list of occupations related…
HR pros can learn a lot about how to deal with alleged race discrimination at work from a new federal appeals court decision. The appeals court rejected the appeal of two former employees and upheld a ruling for the employer.…
Having trouble deciding whether an employee is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? A ruling from a federal appeals court in a case from Texas provides some help. The court ruled that a highly compensated employee -- a…
It’s one thing to have a workplace where morale is low and people just aren’t happy, but it’s quite another to have a work environment that crosses the legal line into unlawful discrimination. As an HR pro, you obviously want…
A California judge has approved a $43.25 million settlement resolving a class-action lawsuit that alleged The Walt Disney Company violated equal pay principles by paying male employees more than female employees for similar work. The settlement ends a six-year…
Normally, an employee’s travel or commuting time is not compensable travel time under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. But when employees travel overnight and stay away from home, different rules apply. A federal appeals court FLSA decision in a…
Employers that don't want to require employees to turn in receipts for business travel reimbursement can rely on per diem rates. The General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a notice regarding its fiscal year 2026 per diem rates for business…
Female employees in Michigan said they endured ongoing sexual harassment at work – but management didn’t step in to stop it. That’s when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) got involved – and the company now faces a six-figure settlement.…
As employers finalize their 2026 budgets, rising healthcare costs are forcing tougher decisions in financial planning and employee benefits. Medical and prescription drug expenses are projected to increase by 8.4% next year, with pharmaceutical costs climbing even higher, according to…
How bad does a job action have to be to create a right to sue? Sometimes, the answer is easy. For example, if an employee is terminated or demoted for a bad reason, that clearly counts as an adverse employment…
A new decision from a federal appeals court has an important message for HR pros about the scope of the ADA’s ban on retaliation. The message: The ADA’s anti-retaliation provision is expansive, and it can even be used by employees…
In today's digital age, social media has blurred the lines between personal and professional lives. A post made outside of work hours can quickly become visible to colleagues, clients, and the public, sometimes causing workplace disruption or damaging an employer's…
More women are speaking up about menopause challenges at work – and Rhode Island has become the first state to make menopause accommodation a legal requirement. The Ocean State’s latest workplace law took effect on June 24, 2025, requiring employers…
The IRS announced it isn't planning late-in the-game changes to tax year 2025 Forms W-2 and other payroll forms, such as the 941. That’s the case even though the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) says employees can take deductions…
