Month: August 2011

Discipline: The 5 Last Things You Want to Hear

Discipline. Aside from performance appraisals, it’s probably the most neglected, most-often-put-off job in management. Managers and supervisors hate to deliver discipline, but delay is disaster. “I’ll ignore it—Let’s see if Jack will improve on his own.” Jack is a longtime employee, a copywriter in Jill’s Marketing Department. During the past several months, he’s been coming […]

FLSA Consent Decree Shows DOL Mission to Protect Low-wage ‘Vulnerable’ Workers in Small Firms

When it comes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), no employer is small enough to fly under U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) enforcement radar. Defunct 1st National Leasing Inc. agreed to pay eight former telemarketing employees $34,235 in back wages under a July 19 consent judgment that will put an end to DOL allegations […]

In Search of (Divine) Comedy

Last week’s post lamented the August heat (call it an inferno) many parts of the country are enduring, while looking ahead wistfully to the promised land (call it a paradise) of a new season for The Office.  In the midst of this entertainment limbo, I took the suggestion of a fellow blogger and sought inspirational […]

Health Coverage Premium Subsidies: One Step Closer to Extension?

At least in the Senate, a consensus is being reached on trade adjustment assistance that could lead to an extension of premium subsidies under the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program. Here are two snippets from a joint statement issued Wednesday: [Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)]: “My staff and Senator McConnell’s staff have been […]

EEOC: Clarity on Wellness Incentives under GINA; Tongue-tied on ADA

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) once again refused to a take a position on whether employers may use financial incentives to encourage employee participation in wellness programs — without violating the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). In an informal opinion letter from the EEOC’s Office of Legal Counsel, the commission assured employers that […]

Your 20-Somethings Have a Lot to Offer—Really

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor Experienced managers tend to talk trash about their “millennials,” their lack of loyalty, their other undesirable traits, but business and leadership blogger Dan Oswald (The Oswald Letter) thinks there’s a lot of potential in these young workers if you’re willing to unleash it. I’m not much […]

Second Obama WHD Nominee Goes Down in Flames

These Queen lyrics fit what’s going on with President Obama’s nominees to the Wage and Hour Division: And another one gone, and another one gone; another one bites the dust! President Obama withdrew the nomination of Leon Rodriguez to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor on Aug. […]

Unlimited Vacation … Are you Kidding Me?

“Are you kidding me” is bound to be the response of many CEOs to the concept of unlimited vacation, but many CEOs are taking a careful look at the benefits (see Yesterday’s Advisor) and accepting the risks (read on), says attorney Christina Gomez. Gomez, who is an associate at the Denver office of law firm […]