Author: Heath P. Straka, Partner, Axley Brynelson, LLP

Ask the Expert: Craft Severance Agreements Carefully with These Factors in Mind

Question: When crafting a severance agreement, should you follow the guidelines of the state the employee resides/works in or the state where the company is incorporated? Answer: Before addressing the specific question about which state’s laws would apply for the enforcement or consideration of a severance agreement, let’s address the importance of such agreements in the […]

Dell’s New Remote Work Policy Sparks Debate

Computer technology company Dell has made headlines for its new work-from-home policy. According to the policy, fully remote employees will no longer be eligible for promotions. There is an exception, however, for hybrid workers (i.e., those who spend three days a week in the office). Unsurprisingly, the policy has sparked debate and confusion over the […]

Longing for the Good Ol’ Days? Tips for Enticing Employees Back to the Office

Few would argue that the way people work has changed. The COVID pandemic made clear that organizations don’t have to always gather employees together in an office to get work done. Indeed, advances in technology make communication and collaboration possible when workers are nowhere near each other. But even though employers were relieved that work-from-home […]

EEOC’s Final Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment Is Here

On April 29, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final version of the Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment to include developments “answering the call” of the #MeToo movement; the landmark Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (which held the protections of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of […]

background checks

Employer in Deep Sheetz Over Criminal History Check

A large convenience store chain recently learned about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) intention to challenge how employers use arrest and conviction records to make hiring decisions. Criminal History Check Required of All Applicants Sheetz is a regional convenience store chain based in Pennsylvania that operates more than 600 locations and employs approximately 23,000 […]

New Data Explores the Continuing Evolution of Hybrid Work

Since the pandemic, the standard work environment has evolved significantly, with a growing number of employees seeking flexible work arrangements. Some prefer fully remote work, while others favor a mix of in-office and remote work, commonly known as the hybrid work model. Benefits of Hybrid Work Hybrid work offers numerous benefits, including better work-life balance, […]

Ask the Expert: How Can Employers Hold Employees Liable for Property Damage?

Question: We provide laptop computers to all our personnel. Many employees damage them during employment or return them with damage upon leaving employment. What are our options for recouping from employees the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged employer-owned materials? Answer: Basically, the company’s two main options for recuperating losses for damage to company […]

college

Key Workplace Skills Missing in 2024 Graduates

Speaking very generally, there are various pros and cons to hiring recent college graduates. On the one hand, these graduates may come, fresh from academia, equipped with the latest knowledge and theories in their chosen field. On the other hand, recent graduates—at least those who have taken the more traditional route of moving directly from […]

OFCCP Issues Guidance on AI

On April 30, 2024, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced the release of a new artificial intelligence (AI) landing page. Following the link, the OFCCP provides 10 FAQs following by “promising practices” on the development and use of AI by federal contractors. While the promising practices aren’t expressly required, the agency describes them […]

Survey Results Suggest Dissatisfaction Among Workers

The transition from college to the workplace can be jarring for recent graduates, who often find a stark difference between their expectations and reality. This disparity is particularly evident when comparing the experiences of those pursuing traditional white-collar professional jobs versus those entering the trades. White-Collar Challenges Recent college graduates aiming for white-collar positions face […]