Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
At press time, federal government agencies and many of the contractors that support them were still shut down by the inability of our ostensible leaders in Washington, D.C., to fulfill their Constitutional duty to pass a budget. No matter its length, though, the shutdown may cause headaches for private-sector employers that had to furlough employees […]
Pregnant employees in New York City will soon be entitled to workplace accommodations, thanks to a bill the city’s council unanimously passed Sept. 24. While the Americans with Disabilities Act requires workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities, it does not consider normal pregnancy a disability. According to the bill, the change was necessary because of […]
Combating FMLA abuse can be frustrating, but there are some straightforward actions employers can take to limit abuse before it happens. It all starts with proper administration of FMLA leave, including the use of medical certifications and recertifications as allowed within the FMLA regulations. These tools not only provide clarity for FMLA leave eligibility, but […]
The information in today’s issue is adapted from BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer session, “Basic Fire Prevention Steps.” Use and Maintain Electrical Equipment Properly Electrical equipment causes the largest number of workplace fires. Follow these safe practices: Replace cords and wires that are frayed or have worn insulation. Don’t overload circuits, motors, fuses, or outlets. Make […]
Yesterday’s Advisor featured consultant Katie M. Busch’s tips on incentives for nonexempts. Today, her take on team vs. individual awards, plus an introduction to the unique guide just for smaller—or even one-person—HR departments. Busch, whose remarks came at a recent BLR-sponsored webinar, is owner of HR Compensation Consultants, LLC. Here are her suggestions about team […]
Legislation designed to make it more difficult for smaller employers to self-insure by restricting their ability to obtain stop-loss insurance with very low attachment points was signed into law on Oct. 1 by California Gov. Jerry Brown. S.B. 161, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2014, will prohibit stop-loss insurers in California from issuing policies with specific […]
What's an employer to do when there is ample documentation to terminate an employee, but the employee has recently engaged in a protected activity? For example, what if the employee files a workers' compensation claim or takes FMLA leave in close proximity to performance issues? This presents a real timing dilemma for employers: Doesn't it look retaliatory to terminate the employee immediately after the protected activity?
USERRA Case Study 1: John Falsifies Paperwork The facts: John is a supervisory employee at a delivery company and is a longtime reservist and combat veteran. Here’s the scenario: John is told by a coworker that the company doesn’t like supervisors to serve in the reserves. His boss sends an internal e-mail that says, “John […]
Yes, pay for performance applies to all levels of jobs, says consultant Katie M. Busch, but there are some caveats when you offer incentive programs to nonexempts. Variable pay is a powerful communicator of values and directions and changing business needs, says Busch. However, with nonexempt employees, it is particularly important that: The amount of […]
The information in today’s issue is adapted from BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer session, “Basic Fire Prevention Steps.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to have a fire prevention plan that covers workplace fire hazards and contains procedures and responsibilities for preventing fires. In this safety training session, we’ll learn what components cause […]