Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Charles Tellis, an Alaska Airlines maintenance mechanic in Seattle, told his supervisor on July 4 that he needed time off because his wife was having difficulties with her pregnancy. His supervisor suggested Tellis contact the benefits department about taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Later that evening, instead of showing up […]
Performance appraisals are an important tool to help managers and employees meet and discuss organizational priorities and set performance and production goals. Appraisals can also provide important benchmarks for employers for use in employment decisions such as those involving compensation, promotions, or layoffs.
Recently, Cal-OSHA submitted emergency regulations regarding workplace heat illness prevention. At an August 12 meeting of the Cal-OSHA Standards Board, the new rules won approval. The rules require the following:
Three transit companies based in Pomona have agreed to pay a combined $100,000 to settle a race and sex harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC’s lawsuit charged that a group of black female employees of Diversified Paratransit Inc., Paul’s Yellow Cab, and Inland Express were subjected to a hostile […]
Almost 7 out of 10 American workers report that they plan to have a working retirement, working full- or part-time for pay past normal retirement age—and a full 12 percent say they believe they’ll never be able to retire. Another 14 percent say they want to work as volunteers in their golden years, and just […]
The California Supreme Court has issued two new decisions of importance to employers.
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has announced that workers’ compensation insurers in the state have filed rate reductions averaging 14.6 percent for policies incepting on or after July 1, 2005. These latest cuts bring the cumulative rate reduction to 26.78 percent since the massive workers’ compensation reforms of 2003 and 2004.
A few months back, the Internal Revenue Service issued a ruling permitting employers to amend their flexible spending plans (health and dependent care) to give employees a two and a half month grace period following the close of the plan year to use up funds deposited in a flexible spending account during the plan year. The […]
On Jan. 1, 2005, the California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act (DPRRA) went into effect, giving registered domestic partners the same rights, duties, benefits, and responsibilities that spouses enjoy under California law. Now, the California Supreme Court, in its first ruling under the DPRRA, has said that the law creates broad responsibilities for businesses […]
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published tips for workers and employers to keep in mind during heat waves. The new materials include an advisory for employers that explains the duty to take steps necessary to prevent heat-related illness, plus fact sheets for workers to help them recognize and respond to symptoms of […]