Category: HR Hero Line

HR best practices, employment law tips, news and analysis, Q&As, and lessons learned from the courtroom.

iPhone Apps Break into Human Resources

by David Kaufman In April, a Connecticut teenager downloaded the billionth application from Apple’s iTune App Store. An “app” is an application or program that allows a user to play a game, surf the Web better, keep track of caloric intake, or tens of thousands of other things. In just nine months, Apple has created […]

Employers Should Prepare in Case Swine Flu Returns this Fall

A swine flu pandemic was a no-show this past spring, but there’s no guarantee it won’t come roaring back when the regular flu season gets under way this fall. Swine flu (also called the H1N1 virus) should be taken seriously because this particular strain hasn’t been seen before, so people haven’t built up natural immunity. […]

Possible Impact of New NLRB on Employers

by Brian R. Garrison By now, most everyone has heard about organized labor’s biggest priority, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) — an unprecedented attempt by labor unions to organize non-union employers. But while the EFCA has garnered the lion’s share of media attention, a recent less publicized change may have a similar impact on […]

Potential Immigration Changes Under the Obama Administration

by Debbie Clephane There are three areas of immigration policy that will most certainly be at the forefront of President Barack Obama’s immigration agenda: (1) enhanced border security, (2) a refocus on employer responsibility, and (3) passage of comprehensive immigration reform. This article provides a glimpse of what we can expect from the new administration. […]

Lax Record-Keeping Costs Employer $179K

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for employers. Within the FLSA, there are record-keeping requirements, including a list of 15 types of information employers must keep for up to three years. Compliance is not only required by law, but it can also be very helpful in the […]

Using Wellness Programs to Reduce Health Care Costs

by Susan Fahey Desmond In addressing the ever increasing costs of health care in the United States, Congress is looking at options that would theoretically make health insurance more affordable to Americans. The task of making health insurance more affordable to all is monumental. President Obama has said, “There’s no quick fix; there’s no silver […]

Are Single, Childless Workers Shortchanged by Benefit Plans?

by Hillary J. Collyer Over the past two decades, the American workforce has enjoyed a significant increase in family-friendly policies in the workplace. Yet are those “family-friendly” benefits fair to all employees? Employees without children wonder whether they receive less valuable corporate benefits than their counterparts with children. Employers are prohibited from providing unequal benefits […]

Addressing the Needs of an Aging Workforce

by Isabella Lee After falling for more than a century, the retirement age of American workers is on an upward trend. According to a recent survey, 43 percent of Americans believe they will have to work during their retirement. Many baby boomers plan on staying in the workforce past retirement for a variety of reasons: […]

Despite Business Opposition, Workplace Gun Laws Survive

The proliferation of new laws addressing the possession of firearms has brought about an issue that could directly impact many workplaces. Gun owners with handgun carry permits can now, in many states, bring their guns into parks, bars, schools, and the workplace. Laws passed in at least nine states prohibit employers from banning employees from […]

Sixth Circuit Addresses Salary Basis Test under FLSA

Wage and hour claims remain a hot topic in employment litigation. The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently addressed a case involving pay deductions. While the court rejected some of the employees’ arguments, it ultimately agreed with the district court that the employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by making certain deductions […]