It’s a perk employees really appreciate: Being allowed to use their own personal devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) to get their jobs done. But be careful -- this increasingly popular trend can backfire on your organization. (more…)
Staff Administration
A staffer runs out of FMLA leave but hands in a doctor's note saying she'll be out indefinitely with a back injury. Her company fires her, and she sues, claiming FMLA interference and refusal to accommodate a disability. Who wins?…
Need a new weapon in the fight to convince managers they need to understand retaliation and bias law? This is it. (more…)
What do employees value most today? Recently, 9,218 full-time U.S. employees at nongovernmental organizations were asked to rank 23 job factors by what's most important to them. Here is their top 10 (by age group). (more…)
Does being unable to pee on cue qualify as a disability? (more…)
It's certainly no secret that age bias claims are on the rise. So here's a reminder to managers: Calling an older employee "pops" and "old man" -- and harassing him to the point where he quits his job -- might…
Chatter of an economic rebound could spark a string of employee raise requests. If it does, are you ready to respond? (more…)
Here's proof that there's no bigger pain in the butt for employers than the Family and Medical Leave Act. (more…)
You and your managers know the obvious questions you can’t ask job applicants. But sometimes, the most innocuous-seeming exchanges can put you in peril of violating discrimination laws. (more…)
What do a tanning bed, a swimming pool, a trip to Hawaii and a bikini all have in common? One clue: It’s got nothing to do with warm weather or a desire to look good. Give up? They’re all perks…
Few people enjoy working in Microsoft Excel. Unfortunately, HR folks often have to. (more…)
With the combination of a new federal rule and several state laws, many companies are currently required to enroll in E-Verify. Here's a comprehensive list of who's covered: (more…)
Now that employers are required to pick up the bulk of COBRA costs for employees who are separated involuntarily, many HR managers have asked how "voluntary" and "involuntary" are defined. The Internal Revenue Service has answered. (more…)
With the tight economy, creditors are stepping up wage-garnishment actions. So, what can an employer do if an employee piles up three garnishments? Four? Five? Ten? (more…)
You've probably mentioned it to managers a hundred times: When there's a problem with an employee, make sure we have good documentation to back up any discipline. Employment law attorney Penelope Phillips explains a few hints that will make documentation…
Last month, President Bush signed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act) into law to provide enhanced benefits for military personnel. (more…)
