Month: March 2014

The 10 Sins of Wage and Hour Management

Pay the minimum wage and pay overtime where due—how hard could it be? Wage and hour should be simple, but it’s just not. We’ve identified the 10 most common “sins” managers and supervisors commit in paying—or not paying—employees what they are owed.   Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 […]

The dilemma of writing your own EEOC position statement

by Jeremy A. Stephenson An employer receives its first charge from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging workplace discrimination. The employer is immediately irritated because the employee who filed the charge deserved to be terminated. The company quickly determines that it has no insurance that covers the situation, so a representative calls the EEOC […]

6 Reasons to Conduct an Employee Engagement Survey

Benowitz, who is the vice president of Growth and Development at The Employee Engagement Group, offered his expert tips on engagement surveys in a recent webcast offered by BLR. Six Reasons to Conduct an Employee Engagement Survey Demonstrate your concern about employee issues. Find out what’s stressing your workforce (gives you an opportunity to act). […]

Train Workers to Avoid Poisons—At Work and At Home

March 16 through 22 is National Poison Prevention Week, so this is a good time to retrain on poison prevention precautions. Check with the safety data sheet (SDS) and your supervisor for the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to use, which may include: Gloves Safety goggles or glasses Protective suits or other clothing Protective boots […]

Understanding FEHA’s disability definition

If you struggle with understanding whether you must accommodate an employee with a mental disorder, you're not alone. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can become a tricky labyrinth to navigate, and now the maze has gotten even more complicated.

Are You Attractive to Potential Employees?

It is quite simple. In order to attract the best employees, you must look as if you are the best company to work for. Appearance is everything. A very basic first step in managing your image is to review how you present your company, says Jasmine Rojas, BLR® legal editor.   For instance, while you […]

EEOC, FTC team up to provide tips on background checks

Employers and jobseekers alike are getting more direction on employer use of background checks with the release of two technical assistance documents from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). On March 10, the EEOC and the FTC copublished the documents, which are available on the agencies’ websites. The documents—Background […]

New York City paid sick leave law begins April 1

by New York Employment Law Letter New York City employers need to be ready for the city’s new Earned Sick Time Act by the April 1 effective date. Beginning April 1, the law, passed last summer over the veto of then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, requires private-sector employers with 20 or more employees in New York City […]

Stop Measuring Satisfaction—Start Focusing on Engagement

Benowitz, who is the vice president of Growth and Development at The Employee Engagement Group, offered his expert tips on engagement surveys in a recent webcast offered by BLR. Engagement is about mutual commitment, says Benowitz. Companies help employees reach their potential and employees help their companies perform better. This combination results in engagement—“the capture […]

Are Your Workers Trained to Avoid Poisons?

Overexposure to certain materials we work with can cause health problems. There are three ways these materials can get into our bodies: Inhaling hazardous airborne vapors, dusts, or fibers can be harmful to health. Effects range from headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems to far more serious—sometimes even fatal—ailments. Swallowing hazardous substances can poison you or […]