Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.
As remote work arrangements proliferate, it’s crucial for employers to remain compliant with legal obligations, including those outlined in federal and state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) acts. State WARN acts are sometimes called “mini-WARN” laws. Generally, WARN laws require a covered employer to provide substantial notice (60 days for the federal statute) to […]
On June 14, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide an important Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) question—namely, whether an employer claiming an exemption from overtime needs to prove it by “clear and convincing” evidence (a very high standard) or by a preponderance of the evidence (a lower, easier standard to meet). The decision is […]
Whistleblower protections are crucial for maintaining ethical standards and ensuring employee compliance within organizations. Whistleblowers play a vital role in uncovering misconduct that might otherwise stay hidden, thereby safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the company. Despite the significant risks whistleblowers face, their actions are essential in promoting transparency and accountability. HR departments have a […]
Question: What is considered compensable time during the onboarding process under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training? Answer: Employee onboarding involves incorporating new employees into the organization by providing necessary knowledge and skills to succeed. As […]
Over the past few years, there have been much higher rates of immigration than had previously been projected. In 2019, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—which is tasked with providing independent, nonpartisan analysis of economic and budgetary issues to support the Congressional budget process—estimated that net immigration in 2023 would total one million people. Now that […]
Recently, in the first of a series of articles focusing on companies’ online employment recruitment practices, we wrote about a company’s need to consider what states require an employer to include (or prohibit an employer from including) in a job application that is made available online to residents of states other than Massachusetts. Here, we […]
Federal judges are required to reduce jury verdicts in discrimination cases brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if a jury awards more than is permitted under federal caps. But a bill now pending in Congress, the Equal Remedies Act of 2024, would end […]
In a ruling widely considered a victory for employers, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the standards for assessing an application by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a 10(j) injunction should be the same as used in other civil injunction applications. Although widely anticipated as bringing harmony to an area with numerous “circuit […]
Question: A former employee who was fired has requested a copy of her personnel file. What documents would she be entitled to receive? Answer: Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 149, §52C outlines what constitutes a personnel file and discusses an employer’s duty to retain that file. The statute further provides a formal process for employees to […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just creating buzz. It’s also sparking both fear and enthusiasm, with some employers worried about the downsides and others eager to dive in and capitalize on the potential. No matter how it’s viewed, though, employers must focus on how this brave new world intersects with legal compliance. Guidance from the DOL […]